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Ohio State Jlcademy of Science 

M M M Special Papers No. 4. M M M 



The Fishes 
of Ohio M 



RAYMOND C. OSBURN, M. Sc. 



Jff 4S-"*1 



Published by the Academy of Science 

With the Emerson McMillin 

Research Fund. 



jk Jk May, 1901 Jk ± 



Monograph 



f- 



Ohio State Academy of Science. 

J 

SPECIAL PAPERS, No. 4. 



The Fishes of Ohio 



BY 

RAYMOND C. OSBURN, M. Sc. 



PUBLISHED BY THE ACADEMY OF SCIENCE 

WITH THE EMERSON McMlLLIN RESEARCH FUND. 



MAY, 1901 



columbus : 

Press of Spahr & Glenn, 

190 1. 



2o(. cu± 



NOTE. 

The investigations upon which this paper is based were 
made under two grants of fifty dollars each from the Emerson 
McMillin Research Fund, and the results are now published by 
the further aid of the same fund. 

F. M. Webster, 
H. C. Beardslee, 
William R. I^azenby, 

Trustees. 



DEDICATION. 

To the memory of my dear friend atid teacher, the lafe 
Professor David Simons Kellicott. 



THE FISHES OF OHIO. 

An Authenticated List, with Especial Reference to Occurrence 
and Distribution. 



INTRODUCTION. 

THE purpose of this work is to bring together the results of 
the investigations on the fishes of Ohio, which have from 
time to time been made in various localities within the 
state, and to compile an authenticated list of the fishes of 
Ohio, which shall include only such species as have been defin- 
itely reported for the state by some collector. An attempt has 
also been made to show the distribution in the state, of each 
species, by citing all the records of occurrence which could be 
obtained. The results show that many species are so widely dis- 
tributed and so abundant that they have been taken by every 
collector in the state ; some are widely distributed, but nowhere 
common ; others have been taken commonly in one or two locali- 
ties, but not elsewhere ; and still others are so rare that only 
single individuals have been recorded. 

Before proceeding with the list it may be of interest to glance 
at the work of some of the collectors of Ohio fishes, as shown by 
their publications. 

The work in the Ohio Valley was begun by C. S. Rafinesque, 
in a paper dated at Louisville, Kentucky, July 20, 1818. This 
paper was followed by a number of others in rapid succession, 
and in December, 1819, to November, 1820, Rafinesque pub- 
lished in a series of articles in the C( Western Review and Miscel- 
laneous Magazine," his " Ichthyologia Ohiensis," which, as Dr. 
Call says, ' ' laid the literary foundation of American Ichthyologi- 
cal Science." As Rafinesque' s paper covered the Ohio River 
System, it is not definitely known how many species he took 
within the limits of Ohio, but he mentions about twenty-five 



6 THE FISHES OF OHIO. 

species as occurring in the streams of the state, Muskingum, 
Hocking and Miami Rivers and the Ohio River ' ' as far as Pitts- 
burgh." Rafinesque makes mention of one hundred and eleven 
species as occurring in the Ohio and its tributaries, but of this 
number, as Dr. Jordan says, " upwards of forty-three are either 
spurious or redundant." Of the one hundred and thirty-four 
native species now recorded for Ohio, Rafinesque described thirty- 
four. Further comment on Rafinesque' s work is unnecessary, as 
it has been reviewed by various later writers, especially by Dr. 
Jordan. Dr. R. E. Call has recently published an edition of 
the Ichthyologia Ohiensis in the original text, accompanied by a 
biographical sketch. 

The first paper to appear, dealing entirely with the fishes of 
the state, was that by Dr. Jared P. Kirtland, published in the 
Second Annual Report of the Geological Survey of Ohio, and 
bearing date of November i, 1838, at Cincinnati. In this paper 
Dr. Kirtland gave a list of seventy-two species belonging to Ohio. 
Of this number, at least twelve are redundant. In the ' ' Family 
Visitor," of 1850, however, Kirtland gave a corrected list, in 
which seven doubtful species of his former list were omitted, and 
two other species added, thus reducing his list to sixty-seven 
species, of which number at least sixty-one are good. Kirtland 
published other papers on Ohio fishes, his most important work 
being ' ' Descriptions of the Fishes of Lake Erie, the Ohio River 
and their Tributaries," which appeared in the "Boston Journal 
of Natural History," as a serial, in 1840-46. Eight species of 
our present list were described by Dr. Kirtland, and his careful 
work resulted in many valuable contributions to ichthyological 
knowledge. 

The next work of importance on Ohio fishes was that of Mr. 
John H. Klippart, of the State Fish Commission, published in 
the first and second annual reports of the commission. The first 
report, for the years 1875-76, contains descriptions of twenty-five 
species " copied and arranged from the manuscript of Prof. D. S. 
Jordan, by his assistant, Chas. H. Gilbert," with comments and 
notes by Klippart, and with plates of nineteen species drawn by 
Miss Josephine Klippart. The same report also contains a list of 
one hundred and eighty-five species of fishes ' \ supposed to occur 



INTRODUCTION. 7 

in Indiana, and therefore in Ohio." In regard to this, Klippart 
remarks, " Messrs. Jordan and Gilbert's Catalogue of the Fishes 
of Indiana is here given, under the belief that the same species of 
fishes found in Indiana south of the watershed may be found in 
the waters of Ohio." The list contains many species not recorded 
for Ohio after the lapse of a quarter of a century, and some that, 
owing to peculiarities of distribution, probably never will be 
taken. The second report contains descriptions of twenty-four 
species " arranged from manuscript of Prof. D. S. Jordan, by his 
assistant, Mr. Ernest Copeland," with plates of sixteen species. 
As a whole the reports contain much that is good. 

By far the most important paper on Ohio fishes is that by 
Prof. David Starr Jordan, published in the fourth volume of the 
Report on the Geology of Ohio, entitled a " Report on the Fishes 
of Ohio," and bearing date of December 10, 1878. Dr. Jordan 
was at that time connected with Butler University, in Indiana, 
and his services in the preparation of the report were engaged by 
Prof. J. S. Newberry, the State Geologist of Ohio. This report 
contains, besides the synonymy and many valuable notes in regard 
to habits, careful descriptions of a hundred and sixty-five species 
of fishes supposed to occur in Ohio. Of this number, nine have 
since proved to be redundant, while three others have been 
reduced to varietal rank. Of the remaining number described, 
more than fifty had not at that time been taken within the limits 
of the state, but were included because their range was such as 
made their occurrence within the state probable. Many of these 
have since been noted, but at the time of publication of Jordan's 
Report only about one hundred species had been recorded for the 
state. 

Following Jordan's Report, in more recent years have 
appeared a number of papers dealing with investigations more 
local in their nature, but all contributing materially to our knowl- 
edge of the occurrence and distribution of Ohio species. The 
first of these of which I have any knowledge, appeared in the 
Journal of the Cincinnati Society of Natural History, for July- 
October, 1888, under the title, " Contributions to the Ichthyology 
of Ohio, No. 1," by Dr. J. A. Henshall, and gave a list, with 
occurrence notes, of seventy species noted in Hamilton County. 



8 THE FISHES OF OHIO. 

This was followed in January, 1889, by a second paper, more 
general in its nature, adding forty species noted at various points 
in the state, and making a state list of a hundred and ten species 
noted by himself. Localities were given for all the species 
mentioned. 

In 1892 appeared " A Descriptive List of the fishes of Lorain 
County, Ohio," as "Laboratory Bulletin No. 2," of Oberlin 
College, by Mr. L. M. McCormick. This list includes eighty- 
eight species " resting upon specimens preserved in the museum," 
with brief descriptions, and notes on occurrence and habits, and 
with plates of eighteen species. 

In 1893, Dr. Philip H. Kirsch, at that time Fish Commis- 
sioner of Indiana, investigated the Maumee River and its tribu- 
taries, under the direction of the U. S. Commission of Fish and 
Fisheries. Kirsch' s paper, "Report upon Investigations in the 
Maumee River Basin During the Summer of 1893 " (Bull. U. S. 
Fish Com., 1894), includes a list of eighty-seven species of fishes, 
with descriptions of the streams and lakes of the system, and 
many interesting notes. The report includes the unpublished 
notes of a small collection of fishes made in Defiance County by 
Prof. S. E. Meek, in 1887. Although the investigations covered 
portions of the Maumee Basin in Indiana and Michigan as well as 
in Ohio, the occurrences for each locality are definitely noted, 
and eighty-two of the eighty-seven species mentioned by Kirsch 
are recorded for localities in Ohio. 

In the summer of 1897, Mr. E. B. Williamson and the writer 
investigated the streams of Franklin County, and published the 
results in a paper entitled ' ' A List of the Fishes of Franklin 
County, Ohio, with a description of a new species of Etheostoma, 
by R. C. Osburn and E. B. Williamson " (Sixth Annual Proceed- 
ings of the Ohio State Academy of Science, 1898). The list 
includes sixty-nine species, with occurrence notes, and some color 
notes on the rarer species, together with many breeding dates, 
and a table showing distribution. 

A somewhat similar investigation was carried on in the sum- 
mer of 1898, by Messrs. J. B. Parker, E. B. Williamson and the 
writer, and the results appeared in the Seventh Annual Proceed- 
ings of the Ohio State Academy of Science, 1899, under the title, 



INTRODUCTION. 9 

M A Descriptive List of the Fishes of Big Jelloway Creek, Knox 
County, Ohio." Many color descriptions of species in high 
breeding coloration are given, and some interesting breeding and 
occurrence notes. 

Prof. E. B. Williamson has kindly furnished the author with ; 
an unpublished list of twenty-six species taken by him in the , 
vicinity of Salem, Columbiana County. 

During the summers of 1899 and 1900, aided by a portion of 
the Emerson McMillin fund of the Ohio Academy of Science, the 
writer was enabled to investigate some parts of the state not 
before studied, and, as the general distribution of the food fishes 
was already quite well known, attention was turned more directly 
to the smaller and less conspicuous species. As a result of the 
investigation, several species not previously noted have been 
added to the list for the state, and a number of rare species 
recorded for new localities and their range extended, while the 
knowledge of the distribution of many of the more common 
species in the state has been considerably furthered. Ten days 
spent in the vicinity of Ironton, seining in the Ohio River and 
Ice Creek, a shiall tributary of the Ohio, and in Johns Creek, a 
tributary of Symmes Creek, gave some interesting results. The 
Ohio River, with its tributaries, Wheeling Creek and McMahon 
Creek, was also seined in the vicinity of Bellaire. The shallow 
waters of Sandusky Bay were hauled in many places and Notropis 
heterodon was added to the state list. The Huron River, with 
one of its small tributaries, was seined in the vicinity of Milan, 
and fifty species, nearly all common, were taken. Ashtabula 
Creek, in Ashtabula County, was seined, but yielded only a 
meager list, due to the fact that the stream flows for nearly its 
whole course over a solid shale bottom. The small streams form- 
ing the headwaters of the Wabash River, in Mercer County, 
yielded a good representative list, forty-nine species being taken. 
Stillwater and Wolf Creeks, tributaries of the Miami, near Day- 
ton, were hauled, and Exoglossum maxillingua taken — a most 
unexpected find. The Cuyahoga River and its tributary, Break- 
neck Creek, were seined near Kent, and the Cuyahoga again at . 
Hawkins ; Grand River, with its small tributaries, was hauled 
for some distance above Painesville, and the Chagrin River was 



IO THE FISHES OF OHIO. 

touched at Willoughby ; Chippewa Lake, near Medina ; Summit 
Lake, at Akron, and Pippin Lake, near Kent, were investigated, 
and some time was also spent at Buckeye Lake, better known as 
the Licking Reservoir ; and the North Fork of Licking River, 
with some of its small tributary streams, was seined near Newark. 
The results of these investigations will be found embodied in the 
occurrence notes of the following list. 

No attempt was made to collect the parasites of fishes, but in 
a few cases these were common enough to attract the attention of 
even the casual observer. In Ashtabula Creek a species of leech 
was found attacking the catfish. The largest of the leeches were 
about one and one-half inches in length. They were found 
usually attached to the lower jaw among the barbels, which in 
color they closely resembled. Not a catfish was taken in this 
stream but what bore the evidence of the work of this parasite, 
and frequently a half dozen leeches would be found on a single 
small catfish. In the headwaters of the Wabash River, in Mer- 
cer County, a species of crustaceous parasite was found in great 
numbers attacking especially the suckers and minnows. So 
numerous were they that it was difficult to find individuals of 
Catostomus commersonii and Campostoma anomalum, the species 
most affected, without at least one of these parasites. The points 
of attack were chiefly the regions immediately behind the pectoral 
and ventral fins, probably because they were most protected in 
such position. A Myxosporid parasite attacking Notropiscornatus 
was noted for a number of localities in central and northern Ohio. 
This species has been partially described by Linton (Psorosperm 
of Notropis megalops \_comutus], Linton, Bull. U. S. Fish Com. 
for 1889 (1891), IX, pp. 459-61, pi. 120, figs. 1-3), from speci- 
mens taken by Mr. L. M. McCormick, in Black River, Lorain 
County, September 1, 1890, and again on October 5, 1891 ; and 
Gurley mentions it with additional notes ( ' ' The Myxosporidia 
or Psorosperms of Fishes," by R. R. Gurley, Report of the 
Commissioner of Fish and Fisheries for 1892 (1894), 12. Genus 
et sp. incert., pp. 182-3, pi. 7, figs. 1-3). This Psorosperm has 
been noted by the writer on N. cornutus from Franklin County, 
and from Licking Reservoir in the Ohio River drainage, and from 
Huron River, Cuyahoga River, Grand River, and Chagrin River, 



INTRODUCTION. II 

tributary to Lake Erie. The species is evidently not, as believed 
by McCormick, ' ' restricted to a very narrow geographical range." 
The cysts formed by this parasite reproducing in the subcutan- 
eous tissue may reach a diameter of one-third inch, and as many 
as eleven cysts have been noted on a single fish. It would seem 
that in some cases they must inevitably cause the death of the 
host. 

Specimens of all the species of fishes recorded by Kellicott, 
Williamson, Parker and the writer are deposited in the museum 
of the Ohio State University. 

In the preparation of this paper free use has been made of 
-the works of the various writers on Ohio fishes, of ' ' The Fishes 
of North and Middle America" (Bulletin 47, U. S. National 
Museum), by Drs. David Starr Jordan and Barton W. Evermann ; 
of Dr. O. P. Hay's "Lampreys and Fishes of Indiana" (19th 
Annual Geol. Rept. of Ind. ), and of the reports and bulletins of 
the U. S. Commission of Fish and Fisheries. The classification 
is that adopted by Jordan and Evermann in Bulletin 47, U. S. 
Natl. Mus. The keys for the separation of families, genera and 
species have, for the most part, been taken from the same work, 
but modified and abridged to meet the requirements of the more 
limited scope of this paper. The descriptions have been drawn 
largely from the same source, but as far as possible these have 
been verified for Ohio specimens, and modified as occasion 
demanded to make them apply more closely to the species as 
found in Ohio. 

While it is not the purpose to discuss in this paper the gen- 
eral anatomy of the fish, such as may be found in any good 
.laboratory guide on zoology, a few hints to the beginner in 
regard to methods of procedure and to some particular points of 
structure may here find a place. The teeth in some species are 
borne on nearly all parts of the mouth and pharynx — premaxil- 
laries, maxillaries, mandibles, vomer, palatines, tongue, hyoid 
•apparatus, pterygoids and pharyngeals, but may be wanting from 
any or all of them. The examination of all but the last men- 
tioned can usually be satisfactorily made through the open mouth 
■by using a blunt dissecting needle or the head of a pin as a 
"feeler." It is the determination of the number and arrange- 



12 THE FISHES OF OHIO. 

ment of the lower pharyngeal teeth that constitutes the particular 
"bete noire" of the uninitiated, but this must be mastered or 
many identifications will be impossible. The lower pharyngeal 
bones form the fifth pair of gill arches and usually bear teeth on 
their inner surfaces, and to examine these it is necessary to 
remove the bones. This is most easily done in the case of the 
minnows and other small species by lifting the opercle and insert- 
ing a small hook behind the gills. In the sunfish and suckers 
and other larger forms it is best to run a scalpel around them 
before attempting to remove them. The teeth when removed are 
usually covered, more or less, with broken tissues, which can be 
removed by cleaning carefully with a fine-pointed needle, or with 
a soft brush under water. In case the teeth have been broken 
off, as frequently happens, the bases can be distinguished. A 
good hand lens is essential. In native minnows the pharyngeal 
teeth are in one or two rows, and their number and arrangement 
is expressed by a formula — thus 1,4-4, 2 > meaning that on one 
side the small, inner row consists of one tooth, and on the oppo- 
site of two, while the teeth of the outer row are the same on both 
sides. The fins are composed of stout spines, or soft rays or ^f 
both. In the fin formula the number of spines is expressed by 
Roman characters, and the rays by the Arabic figures. Thus the 
formula, " D. X, 14," indicates that the dorsal fin is composed of 
ten spines and fourteen, rays. If the dorsal fin were in two parts 
the formula would read " D. X-14." In counting the number 
of rays the undeveloped rudimentary ones are not usually consid- 
ered except in the case of the catfish. A little allowance may be 
made for variation in number of rays. In small specimens where 
the rays are not always easy to count, a good way to determine 
the number is to draw the point of a pin forward over the fin 
near the base of the rays. A good lens is also useful. The 
dorsal fin is usually referred to in descriptions as simply the 
dorsal, and other fins in like manner. They are further abbrevi- 
ated by using D. , A. , C. , V. and P. to stand for dorsal, anal, caudal, 
ventral and pectoral fins respectively. The scalis are counted 
along the lateral line (a longitudinal row of scales each with a 
small pore in most fishes) from behind the opercle to the base of 
the caudal fin, and the transverse rows are counted from the front 



INTRODUCTION. 1 3 

of the dorsal fin to the lateral line and from the lateral line to the 
middle of the belly. Thus the formula, "6-45-4," means that 
there are forty-five scales in a longitudinal row, and that there are 
six rows above the lateral line and four below it. If the lateral 
line were absent the formula would read, "45-10." Variations, 
sometimes considerable, may be looked for in the scale formula. 
The gill membranes (free folds of skin below the opercles, sup- 
ported by one or more branchiostegal rays) may be " connected," 
that is, united together in a fold below the " isthmus " or space 
between the throat and breast, they may be "joined to the 
isthmus " along their lower edges, or they may be " free " from 
the isthmus and from each other. The pre-maxillaries are " pro- 
tractile ' ' when they are separated in front from the skin of the 
forehead by a transverse groove, and "not protractile" when 
such transverse groove is incomplete or wanting. In some fishes, 
as in the bass and many sunfishes there is a " supplemental max- 
illary " bone lying along the upper side of the maxillary. In 
taking body measurements the depth is taken at the deepest 
place, and the head is measured from point of snout to the end of 
the opercle, except that in sunfishes the soft flap is not measured. 
Depth and length of head are compared w r ith the length of the 
whole body exclusive of the caudal fin. Thus, " head 4 " means 
that the length of the head is contained four times in the length of 
the body. The eye is measured to the full width of the orbit. 

The writer desires to express his gratitude to the Depart- 
ment of Zoology of the Ohio State University for the use of a seine 
and other collecting apparatus, to Prof. Herbert Osborn for 
kindly advice and assistance in many ways, and to the Trustees 
of the Ohio State Academy of Science for pecuniary aid, through 
the Emerson McMillin fund, in carrying on the work of seining. 
Special acknowledgment is also due to Messrs. J. S. Hine, W. R. 
Rhoades, Chas. Carter, F. L. Landacre, J. H. Pumphrey, S. K. 
Rasor, Chas. Osburn, and others, who by kindly assistance in 
various ways have so materially aided in the pursuit of the work. 



THE FISHES OF OHIO. 



A. Body long and slender, eel-like ; skin smooth and slippery, wholly devoid of scales ; 
no paired fins ; no lower jaw ; the mouth placed in or near the center of a large, 
circular and sucker-like disc ; a single median nostril ; skeleton cartilaginous. — 

Class : Marsipobranchii (Cyclostomes). 
AA. Body variously developed, scales usually but not always present; paired fins pres- 
ent ; lower jaw always present ; nostrils never median. — 

Class : Pisces (True Fishes). 

Class : MARSIPOBRANCHII. 



Order : HYPEROARTII. 

Family: Petromyzonidae (Lampreys). 

Key to Genera. 

A. Sucker large, and furnished with numerous teeth which are in rows radiating from; 
the mouth ; horny plate above the mouth short and provided with 2 or 3 teeth, 
which are placed close together.— Ichthyomyzon. 

AA. Sucker relatively small, and with few teeth ; mouth overhung with a crescent- 
shaped, horny plate, which terminates at each end in a distinct tooth ; tongue 
armed in front with a crescentic, serrated, horny plate. — I,ampetra. 

Genus : Ichthyomyzon. 

Ichthyomyzon concolor (Kirtland). Silver Lamprey. 

Sucking disk large, moderately fringed ; teeth strong and nearly uni- 
form ; two teeth on supraoral plate ; seven in the transverse row below 
mouth, the remaining teeth arranged in about four concentric circles. Dorsal 
fin arising midway from snout to end of tail, broadly notched, continuous, 
with caudal ; anal fin also continuous with caudal. About fifty-two muscu- 
lar grooves between gills and vent. General color bluish, sometimes 
blotched with black ; a dark blue spot above each gill opening. Length 
about 12 inches. 

This species appears to be distributed throughout the state, 
though nowhere very common. It ascends small brooks in spring 
to breed. McCormick mentions finding females with ripe eggs 
on May 22, in Vermillion river. The breeding date must be 
considerably earlier in central Ohio, as Messrs. Parker, William- 
son and the writer took young larvae a couple of inches long in 
Big Jelloway creek, Knox County, during the latter part of May, 
1898. On the same date a large larva seven inches long was 
taken, so the species must continue in the larval stage something 

*It has been thought best to include here also the Lampreys {Marsipobranchii) of 
Ohio, for the reason that, in the popular idea, a lamprey is a " fish." 



:i6 THE FISHES OF OHIO. 

more than a year. One large larva, seven inches in length, 
showed the following colors : dull yellow, pigmented above with 
fine, brown specks, giving to the back a brownish cast ; this is 
interrupted in the mid-dorsal line, leaving a yellow, vertebral 
line ; fins yellowish, brightest at base. Young larvae, two and 
one-half inches long, were light olive brown, with fine brown 
specks above ; dark around base of anal fin. Eyes very slightly 
developed. The young larvae were taken from a mass of sand 
and mud seined from the bottom of Sawmill Run. 

The species was first taken by Dr. Kirtland in Big Miami 
river, and described by him. He afterward recorded it from the 
Mahoning and Scioto rivers. Vermillion river, McCormick, 1892 ; 
Big Jelloway creek:, Parker, Williamson and Osburn, 1898 ; Hen- 
shall mentions one which passed through a hydrant in Cincinnati ; 
and Dr. Jordan ,says, "I have obtained several specimens with 
Perch from Lake Erie, both external, feeding on the Perch, and 
internal, having been devoured by the fish." 

Genus: Eampetra.. 

Lampetra wilderi (Gage). Small Black Lamprey; 

Brook Lamprey. 

Sucking disk smaller than in the preceding, the fringes longer. Dorsal 

fin arising midway from snout to end of tail, not continuous with caudal 

■ except during breeding season, when it is deeply notched. Below the mouth 

is a transverse row of blunt, horny teeth, 5 to 9 in number. On each side 

of the disk is a plate with three bicuspid teeth ; supraoral plate with a 

tooth at either end ; remaining teeth few and w T eak. About 65 muscular 

grooves between gills and vent. Color bluish black, lighter on disk and 

belly. Length 6 to 9 inches. 

Although from its range we might expect this species to occur 
throughout the state, it has, I believe, been recorded for but one 
locality. Mr. J. B. Parker has observed it to be common on the 
ripples of small tributaries of Big Jelloway creek, in Knox 
County, about the middle of April. Four specimens were cap- 
tured at one dip of an insect net, and specimens taken by him are 
-in the State University collection. The Ammoccetes bicolor, or 
Blind Eamprey, which Kirtland records from the Mahoning river 
rmay have been the larva of either this or the preceding species, 
;as the immature forms are so similar as to be almost indistin- 
guishable. ;. , 



K1CV TO FAMILIES. 1 7 



Class : PISCES. 



Sub-Class: Teleostomi (True Fishes). 

Artificial Key to the Families of Fishes. 
I. Ventral Fins Present — Abdominal. 

A. Back with an adipose fin behind the single, rayed dqrsal fin. 

B. Head with barbels about mouth and nostrils, body sealeless ; a single spine in 

each pectoral ana in dorsal fin.— Silurid.e. 

BB. Head without barbels ; body scaled. 

C. Dorsal, anal and ventral fins each with a small but distinct spine ; scales 

ctenoid.— Percopsid.e. 

CC. Dorsal, anal, and ventrals without distinct spine ; scales not ctenoid. — 

Salmon id.*;. 
AA. Back without adipose fin. 

D. Dorsal fin single, composed of rays, and not preceded by a series of free spines. 
E. Tail evidently strongly heterocercal. 

F. Body naked ; snout with a spatulate blade ; mouth wide, without 

barbels.— Polyodontid.e. 

FF. Body with scales or bony plates or shields. 

G. Body with 5 series of bony shields ; mouth inferior, tooth- 
less, preceded by four barbels. — Acipenserid.e. 
GG. Body scaly. 

H. Scales cycloid ; a broad, bony, gular plate ; dorsal fin 

many rayed.— Amiid.e. 

HH. Scales ganoid ; no gular plate ; dorsal fin short.— 

Lepisosteid.e. 
EE. Tail not evidently heterocercal. 

I. Gill membranes broadh* joined to the isthmus ; head naked ; no 

teeth in jaws. 
J. Lower pharyngeal teeth very numerous, in one row like the 

teeth of a comb.— Catostomid^e. 

J J. Lower pharyngeal teeth few, fewer than 8, in 1 to 3 rows. — 

Cyprixid^e. 

II. Gill membranes free, not attached to the isthmus. 
K. Head scaly, more or less. 

L- Upper jaw not protractile, its lateral margins formed by 
the maxillaries. 
M. Jaws depressed, prolonged ; lateral line present. — 

Luciid^e. 
MM. Jaws short ; no lateral line.— Umbrid.e. 

LL- Upper jaw protractile, its margin formed by premaxil- 
laries alone ; no lateral line.— Poeciliid^e. 

KK. Head naked. 

N. Lateral line well developed ; mouth large, teeth all 

pointed, some of them canine. — Hiodontid^e. 

NN. Lateral line wanting. 

O. Mouth small, inferior, toothless ; stomach gizzard- 
like.— DOROSOMATID^E. 
OO. Mouth moderate, terminal ; stomach not gizzard- 
like.— CLUPEIDiE. 



THK FISHES OF OHIO. 

DD. Dorsal fin not as in D. 

P. Dorsal fin single, preceded by free spines ; body scaleless.— 

Gasterosteid.e. 
PP. Dorsal fins, two ; tbe first small, composed entirely of spines ; body very- 
slender, covered with scales. — Atherinid.t:. 

II. Ventral Fins Present— Thoracic or Sub-Jugular. 

Body covered with scales. 

B. Rays of the ventral fins, I, 5. 

C. Lateral line extending on caudal fin to tip of middle rays.— Sciaenid.*:. 
CC. Lateral line not extending beyond base of caudal fin. 

D. Pseudobranchiae or false gills on under side of opercles well devel- 
oped ; head scaled forward to between nostrils.— Serranid.e. 
DD. Pseudobranchiae wanting or covered by skin. 

E. Anal spines, 3 to 10 ; body more or less deep and compressed. — 

CENTRARCHID.35. 

EE. Anal spines, 1 or 2 ; body usually elongate.— Percid.*:. 

BB. Rays of the ventral fins not I, 5. 

F. Dorsal fin single, with 3 or 4 spines.— Aphredoderid^e. 

FF. Dorsal tin divided into 2 distinct parts, spines wanting.— Gadid^e. 

Body naked ; dorsal fin with 6 or 7 spines. — Cottip.k. 

III. Ventral Fins Entirely Wanting. 

Body long and snake-like : skin cov red with Ion.? imbedded scales at right angles 
to each other ; lower jaw projecting— Anguillid. 1 .-:. 



Series: Ganoidei. 

CHONDROGANOIDEA (The Cartilaginous Ganoids). 

Order : SELACHOSTOMI. 

Family : Polyodontid^E. 

Genus: POLYODON. 

Polyodon spathula (Walbaum). Paddle-fish ; Spoon-bill Cat. 

A very peculiar looking fish, recognizable at once by its long, paddle- 
shaped snout, which is about y< the length of the body and is thin and flexi- 
ble. The eyes are small and placed near the base of the snout ; opercular 
flap long, reaching back as far as to the ventral fins. Caudal fin large, 
forked, the lobes about equal. Color olivaceous, paler below. This singular 
fish attains a length of 5 or 6 feet, but is of little or no economic importance. 

Taken in the Ohio and Muskingum rivers, Kirtland ; ' ' one 
was taken in a pound net (in Lake Erie) near Vermillion in 
1874," McCormick ; "common in the Ohio river," Henshall,. 
1! 



ACIPENSERID-K. 19. 

Order: CHONDROSTEI. 

Family : AcipenseriM. 

Key to Genera. 

A. Spiracles present ; snout subconic ; rows of bony shields distinct throughout ; the 
tail not depressed nor mailed.— Acipenser. 

AA. Spiracles obsolete ; snout subspatulate ; rows of bony shields confluent behind dor- 
sal so that the depressed tail is completely mailed.— Scaphirhynchus. 

Genus : ACIPENSER. 

Acipenser rubicundus Le Sueur. Lake Sturgeon ; 
Ohio Sturgeon ; Rock Sturgeon. 

Body elongate, terete, tapering towards snout and tail. Snout long and 
slender in young, becoming more blunt with age. Body covered with large, 
rough, strongly hooked shields, which become smoother with age. Color 
dark olive above, sides paler or reddish, with sometimes irregular dark spots. 
Length 6 feet. 

This species occurs both in Lake Erie and the Ohio river. 
Those from the Ohio, formerly considered as belonging to a 
separate species, A. maculosus, are now regarded as the young of 
A. rubicundus. "The Ohio river as far as Pittsburg," Rafin- 
esque (Rafinesque made six species out of this and Scaphirhyn- 
chus platorynchus , which he included in the same genus); Lake 
Erie and Ohio river, Kirtland ; Lorain County, very common, 
McCormick, 1892 ; abundant in the Ohio river, Henshall, 1888 ; 
Lake Erie (west end), Kirsch, 1893. 

Genus : Scaphirhynchus. 

Scaphirhynchus platorynchus (Rafinesque). 
ShoveIvNOSE Sturgeon. 

Body slender, head broad, becoming suddenly broader just behind the 
eyes. Snout flat and pointed. The body tapers gradually backward from 
the head to the tail, the upper lobe of which ends in a long, slender filament. 
Body protected by five rows of bony shields, which are keeled and hooked. 
Color olive, paler below. Length 5 feet. 

" Very common in the Ohio, but seldom reaching as high as 
Pittsburg," Rafinesque; "common in the waters of the Ohio," 
Kirtland ; " common in the Ohio," Henshall, 1 



20 THE FISHES OF OHIO. 

HOLOSTEI (The Bony Ganoids). 
Order : RHOMBOGANOIDEA. 

Family : Lepisosteid.E. 

Genus : Lepisosteus. 

Key to Species. 

A. Large teeth of upper jaw in i row on each side. 

B. Beak long and slender, snout more than twice the length of head.— osseus. 

BB. Beak shorter and broader, little longer than the rest of the head.— platostomus. 
AA. Large teeth of upper jaw in 2 rows on each side ; beak short and broad, not longer 
than rest of head. — /; istcechus. 

Lepisosteus osseus (Linnaeus). Common Gar Pike ; 
Billfish ; Gar. 

Snout at least twice as long as the rest of the head, and quite slender, 
its least width being contained 15 or 20 times in its length. Color olivaceous 
above, paler below. Young with round, black spots on vertical fins and 
posterior part of body, these becoming less distinct with age. Very young 
with black, lateral band. Length 5 feet. 

A Yoracious, good-for-nothing fish, but interesting to the 
naturalist on account of its structure and habits. A common 
and widely distributed species, being found in Lake Erie and 
Ohio river, and in all the larger streams of the state. They are 
very common in the Scioto river below Columbus, where the river 
in summer is rotten with filth from the sewers of the city. They 
have a peculiar habit of lying motionless in schools at the top of 
the water. Dr. Kirtland records the species for the state as 
"" found in most of the larger tributaries of the Ohio;" Lorain 
Count}', Lak? and lower part of larger streams," McCormick, 
11892 ; Ohio river and Lake Erie, Heushall, 1889 ; Maumee river, 
Blanchard river, Auglaize river, Hoaglin creek and Beaver creek, 
Kirsch, 1893 ; Scioto river at Columbus, Williamson and Osburn, 
1897; Ohio river at Ironton, John's Creek at Waterloo, Huron 
river at Milan, and Sandusky Bay, R. C. Osburn, 1899 ; Ohio 
Jtiver at Bellaire, R. C. Osburn, 1900. 

Lepisosteus platostomus Rafinesque. Short-nosed Gar. 

Distinguished from L. osseus chiefly by the snout, which is only a little 
longer than the rest of the head — never more than 1^ times the length of 



LEPISOSTEID.K — AMIID.K. 21 

the head. The snout is also comparatively broader than in L. osscus, its 
least width being contained only 5 or 6 times in its length. Coloration much 
as in L. osseus. 

Rare in Lake Erie and its tributaries, more common in the 
Ohio and its tributary rivers. Ohio, Miami and Scioto rivers, 
Rafinesque ; Maumee river at Toledo, "a single specimen," 
Kirsch, 1893 ; Lorain county, "very rare," McCormick, 1892 ; 
Sandusky Bay, one specimen, and Ohio river at Iron ton, R. C. 
Osburn, 1899. 

Lepisosteus tristcechus (Bloch and Schneider). Alligator Gar. 

Snout shorter than in either of the preceding members of this genus, 
being usually shorter than the head. It is also comparatively much broader, 
its least width being contained in its length y,4 times. Length 8 or 10 feet. 
" A huge, muscular, voracious fish, useless as food, remarkable for its arma- 
ture of enameled scales." 

This species is included on the authority of Dr. Kirtland, 
who says (Rept. on the Zool. of Ohio, 1838): "A specimen is 
to be seen in the Cincinnati Museum, said to have been taken 
within the bounds of our state." Jordan and Evermann (Bull. 
47, U. S. Natl. Mus. ) give its range as far as Cincinnati, whether 
on added evidence I do not know. 

Order : CYCEOGANOIDEA. 

Fa m ily : Amiid^. 

Ge?ius : A mia. 

Amia calva Linnaeus. Dogfish ; Bowfin ; Grindi^k. 

Head 2>H m length ; depth 4 to 4^ ; D. 48 ; A. 10 to 12 ; V. 7 ; scales in 
lateral line 67 ; lateral line nearly median, directed slightly upward at either 
end. Color dark olive or blackish, paler below ; lower jaw usually with 
round, dark spots ; fins somewhat mottled. Male with a round, black spot 
at base of caudal above, surrounded by a yellowish or orange shade. Length, 
male 18 inches ; female 2 feet. 

Lake Erie, Kirtland ; Lake Erie and Ohio river, Jordan ; 
Lorain County, " Rare, once in a great while one is brought in 
from the pounds, and I have taken one in Black river," McCor- 
mick, 1892 ; Lake Erie, Henshall ; one specimen from the 
Maumee river at Toledo, Kirsch, 1893 ; Huron river and San- 
dusky Bay, R. C. Osburn, 1899. 



22 THE FISHES OF OHIO. 

Series : TelEOSTEI. 

Order: NEMATOGNATHI. 

Family: Silurid.E (The Catfishes). 

Key to Genera. 

A. Adipose fin, with its posterior margin free. 

B. Premaxillary band of teeth truncate behind ; not produced backward at the 
outer angles. 
C. Supraoccipital bone continued backward from the nape, its notched tip 
receiving the bone at base of dorsal spine, so that a continuous bony 
bridge is formed under the skin ; caudal fin forked. — Ictalurus. 
CC. Supraoccipital not reaching as far as dorsal fin, the bony bridge more or 
less incomplete.— Ameiukus. 

BB. Premaxillary band of teeth with a lateral backward extension on each side ; 
lower jaw projecting. — Leptops. 

AA. Adipose fin keel-like, adnate to the back. 

B. Band of teeth in upper jaw. with a backward extension at its outer posterior 

angle as in Leptops.— Noturus. . 

BB. Band of teeth in upper jaw without backward extension, as in Ameiurus.— 

SCHILBEODES. 

Genus : Ictalurus. 
Key to Species. 

A. Anal fin very long, its rays 32 to 35. — furcatus. 

AA. Anal fin shorter, its rays about 26.— punctatus. 

Ictalurus furcatus (Le Sueur). Chuckle-headed Cat. 

Head 4*< ; depth 4 in adults to $% in young. Anal fin long, of 32 to 35 
rays. Eye small, wholly anterior, the middle of the head being tehind-its 
posterior margin. Humeral spine not reaching middle of pectoral spine, 
Color silvery, sometimes spotted with darker. Sometimes reaching a weight 
of over 40 pounds. 

"I have seen one or two specimens taken at Cincinnati," 
Jordan; "common in the Ohio river," Henshall, 1888. Not 
recorded elsewhere in the State. 

Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque). Channel Cat; Blue Cat; 
White Cat ; Lady Cat. 

Head 4 ; depth 5 ; anal fin of 25 to 30 rays, usually 27 in Ohio speci- 
mens. Eye large, the middle point of the length of the head being near its 
posterior margin. Barbels long, those of the maxillary reaching beyond 
gill opening. Humeral process long, more than l / z the length of pectoral 
spine. Color light olivaceous, becoming silvery or pale on sides and belly ; 
the sides usually with distinct round, dark spots, these becoming less dis- 
tinct with age. Young specimens usually have a gaunt, faded-out, "con- 
sumptive " look. It reaches a weight of about 25 pounds. 



siu*kii).i:. 23 

Distributed throughout the state, but more abundant in the 
Ohio and tributaries. Rafinesque records it under the name 
Pimehdus (Silurus) maculatus, " as far as Pittsburg." Kirtland 
mentions it under the name Piniclobus coerulescens, as " common 
to the Ohio and lake waters," and as P. pallidas, "common in 
the Ohio at Cincinnati." The latter is identical with the former. 
Abundant in Ohio and Little Miami rivers, Henshall, 1888 ; 
Lorain County, common, McCormick, 1892 ; Maumee river at 
Toledo and Grand Rapids, Kirsch, 1893 \ Muskingum river at 
McConnellsville, Prof. D. S. Kellicott, 1895 ; Franklin County, 
<l common in all larger streams, especially in Big Walnut creek," 
Williamson and Osburn, 1S97 ; Ohio river and Ice creek at 
Ironton, Wabash river at Celina, R. C. Osburn, 1899 ; Chippewa 
lake, Ohio river at Bellaire, R. C. Osburn, 1900. 

Genus : Aaieiurus. 
Key to Species. 

A. Caudal fin forked.— lacustris 

A A. Caudal fin not forked. 

B. Anal fin long, of 24 to 27 rays (counting rudiments). — nata 'is. 

BB. Anal fin shorter, of 17 to 22 rays. 

C Lower jaw projecting. Anal rays 20. — vulgaris. 

CC Lower jaw not projecting. 

D. Pectoral spines long, 2 to 2^4 in head ; anal rays 20 to i^—nebulosits. 
DD. Pectoral spines shorter, 2^ to 3 in head ; anal rays 17 to jg.—melas. 

Ameiurus lacustris ("Walbaum). Mississippi Cat; Great 
Fork-tailed Cat. 

Head 4, low, broad and depressed, its upper surface quite flat, its width 
I its length. Depth 5 ; D. I-5 ; A. 25 to 32, base of the fin as long as head. 
Humeral process short, only a little over y$ the length of pectoral spine. 
Body stouter than in the preceding genus. Caudal fin deeply forked. Color 
dark olivaceous or slate, growing darker with age ; belly pale, no dark spots 
on sides. Our largest catfish, said to reach a weight of 150 pounds or more. 

In Ohio this species is well distributed, being found in the lake, 
Ohio river and larger streams. Kirtland does not record this 
species, probably confusing it with his Pimelobus coerulescens 
{Ictalurus punctatus). Common in the Ohio river, Henshall, 
1888 ; Lorain County, common in the lake and lower parts of 
the rivers, McCormick, 1892 ; Franklin County, two specimens 
taken in Big Darby creek ; one of these, a female weighing 4^ 
pounds, contained eggs, June 21, 1897, Williamson and Osburn. 



24 THE FISHES OF OHIO. 



Ameiurus natalis (Le Sueur). Yeixow Cat. 

Head broad and short ; upper jaw slightly projecting. Body stoutish ; 
the back low, not arched. Anal fin long, its base contained in length of 
body 2> l A to 3*4 times ; its rays 24 to 27. Color usually brownish or yellow- 
ish, sometimes black ; belly pale or yellowish. Length about a foot. Ohio 
specimens seem to fall into the nominal variety ciipreus, as indicated by the 
longer upper jaw. 

This is a common species in most parts of Ohio, occurring in 
nearly all streams and lakes. "The yellow catfish I have only 
seen in the Cincinnati markets, where it is comparatively rare," 
Kirtland ; Lake Erie, Henshall, 1889 ; Lorain County, " common 
in the ponds, streams and lake," McCormick, 1892 ; Maumee 
river at Antwerp, Defiance, Grand Rapids and Waterville, Tiffin 
river at Brunersburg, Sugar creek at Lima, Lost creek at Lima, 
Blanchard river at Findlay and Ottawa, Beaver creek at Grand 
Rapids, " seemingly scarce at all of these points," Kirsch, 1893 ; 
Franklin County, Scioto river, Olentangy river, Big Walnut, 
Little Walnut and Darby creeks, and Hell Branch, Williamson 
and Osburn, 1897 ; Ohio river at Ironton, John's creek at Water- 
loo, Huron river at Milan, Ashtabula creek at Ashtabula, Wabash 
river at Celina, Stillwater and Wolf creeks at Dayton, North Fork 
of Licking river at Newark, R. C. Osburn, 1899 ; Chippewa lake, 
Summit lake, Licking reservoir, R. C. Osburn, 1900. 

Ameiurus vulgaris (Thompson). Long-jawed Catfish. 

Head $% to 4, a little longer than broad, considerably narrowed forward 
when viewed from above, lower jaw distinctly projecting. Body somewhat 
elongate and compressed, the back somewhat elevated. Anal rays 20. Color 
dark brownish or black, becoming white rather abruptly on the belly. 
Length 18 inches. 

The Long Jawed Catfish is not common in Ohio, but seems to 
be widely distributed. Jordan mentions it as "taken in Lake 
Erie and occasionally in the Ohio " ; Henshall in 1889 records it 
for Lake Erie; Lorain County, "Martin's run, only one 
recorded," McCormick, 1892 ; two specimens from the Ohio 
canal at Columbus, Williamson and Osburn, 1897 ; Pippin lake, 
R. C. Osburn, 1900. 



siLURin.K. 25 



Ameiurus nebulosus 1 Le Sueur). Common Buix-head ; 
Horned Pout. 
Head broad and flattened, upper jaw noticeably the longer. Body rather 
elongate, depth 4 to 4^2. Anal fin with 20 to 22 rays, its base contained 4 
times in length of body. Humeral process more than *4 the length of the 
rather long pectoral spine. Color dark brown or brownish yellow, usually 
somewhat clouded, sometimes nearly black. Length 18 inches. 

A very common species in the lake and its tributaries, less 
common in the Ohio river drainage, but found in all larger 
streams. " Occasionally seen in the Cincinnati markets," Kirt- 
land ; Lake Erie, Henshall, 1889 ; Lorain County, "common in 
all streams," McCormick, 1892 ; Maumee river at Cecil and 
Waterville, Fish creek at Edgerton, St. Mary's river at St. 
Mary's, Gordon and Lost creeks near Cecil, Tiffin river at West 
Unity and Brunersburg, Auglaize river at Wapakoneta, Clover- 
dale, Oakwood and Defiance, Sugar creek at Cloverdale and Lima, 
Lost creek at Lima, Blanchard river at Findlay and Cloverdale, 
Hoaglin creek at Oakland, Kirsch, 1893 I Franklin County, 
Scioto river, Olentangy river, Mason's run, Big Walnut, Little 
Walnut, Big Darby and Alum creeks, Williamson & Osburn, 
1897 ; Huron river at Milan, Sandusky Bay, Ashtabula creek at 
Ashtabula, R. C. Osburn, 1899 ; Pippin lake, Summit lake, R. C. 
Osburn, 1900. 

Ameiurus melas (Rafinesque). Beack Buee-head. 

Body stout, short and deep, back high, the profile nearly straight to base 
of dorsal fin. Head broad, rounded in front, jaws about equal. Pectoral 
spine short, its length contained iy 2 to 3 times in length of head. Anal fin 
short and deep, its base \)/ 2 to 5 in length of body, rays 17 to 19, the light 
colored rays contrasting sharply with the dark membranes. Color almost 
black, sometimes brownish or yellowish, the belly pale or yellowish. This 
species shares with the three next preceding the name of Bull-head, the 
ordinary fisherman not drawing very fine distinctions in regard to species. 

The Black Bull-head is the most abundant species of catfish in 
the state, found in nearly all streams and ponds of whatever size, 
and especially in the Ohio river drainage. It is less abundant in 
the lake drainage. It is a mud loving species and is less likely to 
be found in clear, swift streams than in muddy, stagnant bayous. 
A. xanthocephalus Rafinesque is now recorded as synonymous 



26 THE FISHES OF OHIO. 

with A. melas. Recorded by Kirtland as A. xa?ithocephalus , and 
by Jordan as A. melas and xajithocephalus. "Very common in 
Ohio and Little Miami rivers and Mill creek," Henshall, 1888 ; 
Lorain County, "common in all streams and ponds," McCor- 
mick, 1892 ; Maumee river at Cecil and St. Mary's river at 
Rockford, Kirsch, 1893 ; Franklin County, in nearly all streams, 
Williamson and Osburn, 1897 >' Big Jelloway creek at Howard, 
Parker, Williamson and Osburn, 1898 ; Ohio river at Ironton, 
Huron river at Milan, Wabash river at Celina, Stillwater and 
Wolf creeks at Dayton, North Fork of Licking river at Newark, 
R. C. Osburn, 1899 ; Sandusky, Prof. D. S. Kellicott, Williamson 
and Osburn, 1896 ; Niggermill run at Salem, E. B. Williamson, 
1900 ; Sandusky bay at " Black Channel," Breakneck creek and 
Cuyahoga river near Kent, and Licking reservoir, R. C. Osburn, 
1900 ; June 22 is given as a breeding date by Williamson and 
Osburn. 

Genus: Leptops. 

Leptops olivaris (Rafinesque). Mud Cat. 

Body slender, depressed forward, the head extremely flat, the lower jaw 
the longer. Dorsal spine very weak, only ]/ z the height of the fin ; caudal 
fin slightly ernarginate ; anal short, its base about \ the length of body, its 
rays 12 to 15. Yellowish, much mottled with brown and greenish, whitish 
below. Size large, reaching a weight of 50 to 75 pounds. 

Jordan says, " This species abounds in the Ohio river and its 
larger tributaries," but it is probably common nowhere in Ohio 
except in the southwestern part of the state. Henshall records 
it for White Oak creek and the Ohio river, 1889 ; and in 1892 
McCormick mentions the occurrence in Lake Erie, Lorain 
County, as ''quite rare; I have seen but one specimen fresh, 
though I have noticed heads on the beach." 

Genus: Noturus. 

Noturus flavus Rafinesque. Yehow Stone Cat. 

Head broad and flat, much depressed, 4 in length of body. Body terete, 
tail compressed. Soft dorsal fin keel-like, separated from caudal by a deep 
notch. Dorsal spine very short, only y z as long as pectoral spine ; caudal 
rounded ; anal short, its rays about 16. Brownish yellow, varying into bluish 
or blackish. Length 1 foot. 



SIU-RII),K. 27 

Widely distributed and generally common in suitable locali- 
ties. It is found most abundantly on stony ripples of the larger 
streams, and on sandy and gravelly bottoms of rivers and lakes. 
"Occasionally found beneath stones in the Mahoning river," 
Kirtland ; " much more abundant in the Ohio and its immediate 
tributaries than in the streams of the interior," Jordan ; " abun- 
dant in Little Miami river, Mill creek and nearly all streams" 
(Hamilton County), Henshall, 1888; Lorain County, "larger 
streams and the lake," McCormick. 1892 ; Maumee river at 
Defiance, Grand Rapids and Waterville, Fish creek at Edgerton, 
St. Mary's river at Rockford, Auglaize river at Cloverdale and 
Defiance, Blanchard river at Ottawa, Hoaglin creek at Oakland, 
and Blanchard river and Sugar creek at Cloverdale, Kirsch; 1893 V 
Franklin County, "abundant in all larger streams, Scioto and 
Olentangy rivers, Big Walnut, Little Walnut, Alum, Big and 
Little Darby creeks, Black Lick and Hell Branch," Williamson 
and Osburn, 1897 ; Knox County, Big Jelloway creek, Parker, 
Williamson and Osburn, 1898 ; John's creek at Waterloo, Huron 
river at Milan, North Fork of Licking river at Newark, R. C. 
Osburn, 1899 ; Lake Erie at Sandusky, frequently thrown up 
dead on the beach by the waves ; not noticed in Sanduskj* bay, 
Wheeling creek at Bridgeport, Ohio river at Bellaire, R. C. 
Osburn, 1900. 

Ge?l2tS ; SCHILBEODES. 
Key to Species. 

A. Pectoral spine entire or grooved behind, never retrcrsely serrate ; adipose fin high 

and continuous, not separated by a notch from the caudal. — gyrinus. 

AA. Pectoral spine distinctly serrate behind. 

B. Adipose fin nearly or quite free from caudal ; color nearly plain brownish, 
saddle-like blotches faint, everywhere pigmented with fine dots ; anterior 
edge of pectoral spine retrorsely serrate. — eJeutherus. 

BB. Adipose fin not quite free from caudal ; color much variegated, back with dis- 
tinct saddle-like blotches ; pectoral spine strong, its anterior edge with few 
serrations. — minrus. 

Schilbeodes gyrinus (Mitchill). Chubby Stone Cat; 

Tadpoee Cat. 

Head large, broad and depressed, 3 % to 4 in length ; mouth wide, jaws 

about equal. Body short and stout, pot-bellied, shaped much like a tadpole. 

Caudal peduncle comparatively long and compressed. Pectoral spine not 

serrated behind, but grooved instead. Anal fin with 13 rays. Soft dorsal 



28 THE FISHES OF OHIO. 

continuous with caudal, scarcely notched. Color yellowish brown or brown- 
ish olive, nearly uniform ; a distinct narrow, black line along lateral line. 
Length 5 inches. 

Rather irregularly distributed, but common in suitable locali- 
ties. Dr. Jordan (Ohio Rept.) says of this species and S. miurus 
that " their habits are similar, they are usually found together 
and are about equally abundant in Ohio," but in the writer's 
experience 5. miurus has been found much more generally dis- 
tributed, occurring in the open water of streams, usually on 
gravelly or stony bottom, while gyrinus seems to prefer the 
quiet of lakes and ponds, and in the course of several years col- 
lecting the two species have never been taken together. .S. 
gyrinus was observed by Prof. D. S. Kellicott, Mr. E. B. Will- 
iamson and the writer to be common among the decaying vegeta- 
tion in shallow water in Sandusky Bay in 1896; "Ross lake," 
Henshall, 1889; Lorain County, "Common 011 mud banks in 
the lower parts of streams entering the lake," McCormick, 1892; 
Maumee river at Toledo, St. Mary's river at St. Mary's, " every- 
where scarce," Kirsch, 1893 ; Franklin County, Mason's run and. 
Big Darby creek, rare, Williamson andOsburn, 1897 \ Sandusky 
Bay, R. C. Osburn, 1899 ; Summit lake, Licking reservoir, R. C. 
Osburn, 1900. 

Schilbeodes eleutherus (Jordan). 

Head broad and flat, much depressed, narrowed anteriorly, 5 V in body ; 
upper jaw much longer than the lower, which is included. Body much of 
the same form as that of S. mi urns, but with the back somewhat higher ; 
depth 4 *4 in length. Soft dorsal free from caudal, or only very slightly con- 
nected. Color nearly uniform brown above, lighter below, flecked every- 
where except on middle of belly, with black dots. Distinguished from 
5. miurus, which it most nearly resembles, by the free adipose fin, the longer 
upper jaw and the absence of distinct, black, saddle-like blotches on the back. 
Length 4 inches. 

I know of but one specimen of this very rare species taken 
within the limits of the state. This was taken in Big Walnut 
creek, Franklin County, by Mr. K. B. Williamson and the writer, 
June 25, 1897. 



SIU'KID.K. 29 

Schilbeodes miurus (Jordan). Cross-harred Stone Cat. 

Head very much depressed, rounded anteriorly, 3 V in length ; upper 
jaw longer but not so much so as in the preceding species. Depth about 
5 in length ; back scarcely elevated ; adipose fin connected with caudal, but 
more or less deeply notched. Conspicuously mottled with gray and blackish, 
with 3 or 4 definite black blotches across the back. Length, 4 inches. 

A rather common and widely distributed species. Ohio river 
at Raccoon I., Henshall, 1889 ; Lorain County, quite rare, Ver- 
million and Black rivers, McCormick, 1892 ; Maumee river at 
Antwerp, St. Joseph river at Edgerton, St. Mary's river at Rock- 
ford, Tiffin river at West Unity and Brunersburg, and Auglaize 
river at Cloverdale, Oakwood and Defiance, "In an old mill race 
which empties into Tiffin river near West Unity large numbers 
were caught, common in Hoaglin creek near Oakwood, rather 
scarce at all other points," Kirsch, 1893 I Franklin County, gen- 
erally common, abundant in Big Walnut, taken also in Scioto 
river, Olentangy river, Black Lick, Little Walnut, Big Darby 
and Alum creeks, Williamson and Osburn, 1897 \ Ohio river at 
Ironton, John's creek at Waterloo, Sandusky Bay, Ashtabula 
creek at Ashtabula, Wabash river at Celina, North Fork of Lick- 
ing river at Newark, R. C. Osburn, 1899 ; Ohio river atBellaire, 
R. C. Osburn, 1900. Females were observed with ripe eggs from 
June 25 to July 6, 1897, by Mr. Williamson and the writer. 



30 THE FISHES OF OHIO. 

Order : PLECTOSPONDYIJ. 

Sab-Order: Eventognathi. 

Family: Catostomid^E (The Suckers). 

Key to Genera. 

A. Dorsal fin elongate, developed rays 25 to 50, air bladder in 2 parts. 
B. Fontanelle present, body ovate, scales large. 

C. Mouth large, more or less terminal, protractile forward ; pharyngeal; 

bones and teeth moderate, large species of dark color.— Ictiobus. 
CC. Mouth smaller, inferior, protractile downward ; pha^ngeal bone? nar- 
row, the teeth thin and weak ; smaller species, pale in color. — 

Carpiodes. 
BB. Fontanelle obliterated by union of parietal bones ; body elongate ; scales 
rather small ; lips thick and papillose.— Cycleptus. 

AA. Dorsal fin short, 10 to 18 developed rays. . 
D. Air bladder in 2 parts. 

E. lateral line present, complete and continuous ; scales small, more than 

50 in lateral line.— Catostomus. 

EE- Lateral line interrupted or wanting, scales large, less than so in lat. line. 
F. Lateral line entirely wanting.— Erimyzox. 

FF. Lateral line more or less developed, especially in the adult.— 

MlNYTREMA. 

DD. Air bladder in 3 parts ; scales large ; lateral line complete. 

G. Mouth normal, the lower lip entire or merely lobed, the upper lip pro- 
tractile. 
H. Pharyngeal bones moderate, the teeth compressed, not molar-like, 

increasing in size gradually downward.— Moxostoma. 

HH. Pharyngeal bones very strong, the lower teeth very much enlarged, 
cylindrical and truncate, molar-like.— Placopharynx. 

GG. Mouth singular, the upper lip not protractile, greatly enlarged, the lower 
lip developed as two separate lobes.— Lagochila. 

Genus : ICTIOBUS. 
Key to Species. 

A. Mouth large, terminal, protractile forward ; lips very thin, lower pharyngeals and 

teeth weak. — cyprinella. 

AA. Mouth smaller, more or less inferior, and with thicker lips ; pharyngeal bones 
stronger ; the teeth comparatively coarse and large. 
B. Back scarcelj' elevated, depth 3 to 3^ in length.— urus. 

BB. Back elevated and compressed, depth 2^ to 2%.— bubalus. 

Ictiobus cyprinella (Cuvier and Valenciennes). Common Buffalo Fish ; 
Red-mouthed Buffalo. 

Head very large and thick, 3^ in length ; depth iy z to 3^. Developed 
rays of dorsal fin 27 to 29 ; anal 9 ; ventrals 10. Scales 7-37 to 41-6. Body 
robust, moderately compressed, the outline somewhat elliptical, but the back, 
rather more curved than the belly. Opercular apparatus very strong, the 
operculum forming nearly y z the length of the head. Color dull brownish 
olive, not silvery, fins dusky. Length nearly 3 feet. 



CATOSTOMID.K. 31 

According to Jordan, the Red-mouthed Buffalo Fish abounds 
in the Ohio river and its larger tributaries, and Henshall reports 
it " very common in Ohio river." Not reported for any other 
locality. 

Ictiobus urus (Agassiz). Mongrel Buffalo ; Razor-backed Buffalo. 

Head very stout, strongly transversely convex, thicker, larger and less 
pointed than in /. bubalus, about 4 in length. Eye about equal to snout, 5^ 
in head, much smaller than in /. bubal us. Mouth large, considerably 
oblique, approaching that of /. cyprinella. Body much less elevated and 
compressed than in /. bubalus, the back not at all carinated ; 3 to 3X in 
length. D. 30 ; A. 10 ; scales 8-41-7. Longest ray of dorsal scarcely ]/ z the 
length of base of fin ; anal rounded. Colors very dark, fins all black. " Not 
always separable from /. cyprinella, and perhaps not really different." 

Ohio river at Cincinnati, Henshall, 1889. Not mentioned by 
any other collector. 

Ictiobus bubalus (Rafinesque). Buffalo Fish; Small-mouthed 
Buffalo ; Razor-back ; Sucker-mouthed Buffalo. 

Head moderate, triangular in outline when viewed from the side, 4 in 
length, mouth quite small. Body considerably elevated and compressed 
above ; the dorsal region sub-carinate, the belly thicker ; depth 2^ to 2^. 
Highest dorsal ray reaching much beyond middle of fin ; D. 29 ; A. 10 ; 
V. 10 ; scales 8-39-6. Color brownish olive, paler below, the lower fins 
slightly dusky. Length 30 inches. 

Recorded by Rafinesque for the Ohio, " as far as Pittsburg." 
Also recorded for the state by Kirtland. " Abundant in the Ohio 
river," Henshall-, 1888. Not recorded for any other point of the 
state. 

Genus : Carpiodes. 
Key lo Species. 

A. Body sub-fusiform, depth about 3 in length. Dorsal with about 30 rays. — carpio. 
AA. Body ovate oblong, the back eleva ed, depth about 2^ in length. 
B. Lips thin, silvery white, the halves meeting in a wide angle. 

C. Head large, snout blunt ; eye large, 3^ to 4. — difformis. 

CC. Head small and pointed, the snout projecting, eye small, 5 to 5% in 
head. — thompsoni. 

BB. Lips full, thick, reddish in life, the halves of lower lip meeting in an acute 
angle.— velifer. 

Carpiodes carpio (Rafinesque). Big Carp Sucker. 

Head comparatively short, 4 to 5 in body. Body more fusiform than in 
others of the genus, compressed, but not much arched, depth 2% to 3. 



32 THE FISHES OF OHIO. 

Anterior rays of dorsal short, much thickened and osseus at base, especially 
in adults, the longest ray a little more than x / z the base of the fin, which con- 
sists of 30 rays ; caudal moderately forked. Eye medium, anterior, \V Z in 
head. Muzzle short, but projecting beyond mouth. 36 scales in lateral line. 

Limited in its distribution to the Ohio and its larger tribu- 
taries. " The commonest species of its genus in the Ohio river, 
and it is often found in the streams of the interior, ' ' Jordan. 
Very abundant in the Ohio river, Henshall, 1888 ; Ohio river at 
Bellaire, R. C. Osburn, 1900. 

Carpiodes difformis Cope. 

Snout very blunt, the maxillary reaching to front of pupil. Nostrils 
very near tip of snout. Lips thin, silvery colored in life, the lower n.-shaped. 
Head 4 I + / in body ; depth 2% to 2%, the back considerably elevated. Eye 
quite large, y/ 2 to 4 in head. D. 24, its first rays very high ; A. 8 ; V. 9 ; 
scales, 6-35-4. 

Recorded for the state by Jordan, under the name of C. 
cutisanserinus (Cope), as "abundant in the Ohio." C. cutisan- 
serinus is now regarded as identical with C. difformis. " Abund- 
ant in Ohio river, young common in Little Miami river," Hen- 
shall, 1888. Klippart, in his first report, says of this species, 
that it " abounds in Lake Erie, but this must be a mistake, prob- 
ably in regard to the species, as C. difformis is not, I believe, 
known to occur in the St. Lawrence System." 

Carpiodes thompsoni Agassiz. Lake Carp. 

Body stout, short, the back much elevated, depth 2 l / 2 in length. Head 
small, 4 to <\)/ 2 in length, the snout pointed ; lips thin, white, meeting at a 
wide angle. Eye small, 5 to 5>< in head. Tip of lower jaw much in advance 
of nostrils ; maxillary reaching line of orbit. Dorsal of about 27 rays, aris- 
ing about midway from snout to base of caudal, its anterior rays high, % as 
long as base of fin. A. 7 ; V. 10 ; scales rather closely imbricated, 8-39 to 
40-6. 

" Abundant in Lake Erie. I have examined many specimens 
from Sandusky Bay," Jordan; Lake Erie, Henshall, 1889; 
Lorain County, "not very common," McCormick, 1892; Lake 
Erie at Toledo, Jordan and Evermann (Bull. 47, U. S. Nat'l. 
.Mus. ).. 



CATOSTOMID^e. 33 



Carpiodes velifer (Rafinesque). Quiu* Back; Spearfish. 

Head 2>H to 4; lips thick, full, flesh-colored in life, the halves of the 
lower meeting at an acute angle ; muzzle projecting, conic ; eye 4 to 5 in 
head. Back much arched ; depth 2>£ to 3. Dorsal fin of about 27 rays, the 
anterior rays very long and filamentous, sometimes as long as the base of the 
fin. Caudal deeply forked, its lobes slender, the upper lobe the longer. 
Scales 7-35-5- 

Recorded by Rafinesque for the Ohio river as far as Pittsburg. 
' ' Quite common in Ohio river, young ones common in Little 
Miami river and tributaries," Henshall, 1888 ; Maumee river at 
Antwerp, Defiance, Grand Rapids and Toledo, Tiffin river at 
Brunersburg, Auglaize river at Cloverdale, Oakwood and Defi- 
ance, Blanchard river at Ottawa and Cloverdale, Hoaglin creek 
near Oakland, Beaver creek at Grand Rapids, "rather common 
at all these points," Kirsch, 1893 ; Scioto river, Scioto Big Run, 
Mason's Run and Hell Branch, Williamson and Osburn, 1897 ; 
Scioto river at Ironton, Wabash river at Celina, Wolf creek near 
Dayton, North Fork of Licking river at Newark, R. C. Osburn, 
1899 ; Breakneck creek and Cuyahoga river near Kent, Chippewa 
lake, Wheeling creek at Bridgeport, Ohio river and McMahon's 
Run at Bellaire, R. C. Osburn, 1900. 

Cycleptus elongatus (Le Sueur). Black Horse ; 
Missouri Sucker. 

Depth 4 to 5 ; head 6 to 8)4 ', eye small, 6 to 7 in head. D. 30, its long- 
est ray a little longer than head ; A. 7 or 8 ; scales 9-56-7. Color very dark, 
males in spring almost black. Length 2)4 feet. 

Apparently confined in this state to the Ohio river. ' ' As far as 
Pittsburg," Rafinesque. Recorded for the Ohio by Kirtland and 
by Jordan, and Henshall in 1888 mentions it as " not uncommon 
in the Ohio river. 



34 THE FISHES OF OHIO. 

Genus: Catostomus. 
Key to Species. 

A. Head transversely convex above, the orbital rim not elevated, scales in lateral line 
60 or more. 
B. Scales in lateral line about 100. — catostomus. 

BB. Scales in lateral line 64 to 70.— commersonii. 

AA. Head broad, depressed, and transversely convex between the orbits ; scales in lateral 
line, 48 to 55. nigricans. 

Catostomus catostomus (Forster). Northern Sucker. 

This species can at once be distinguished from the others of the genus 
occurring in Ohio, by the great number of scales in the lateral line, 95 to 114. 
About 29 cross rows between dorsal and ventrals. Head broad above, pointed 
in front ; snout a little longer than remainder of head and much overhang- 
ing the mouth. Body rather slender and somewhat terete. D. 10 ; A. 7. 
Color, above, smoky gray ; below, white. Length 2]/ z feet. 

This species is one of northern distribution, probably not 
occuring in the tributaries of the Ohio. "Quite abundant in 
Lake Erie," Jordan (Ohio Rept.), 1878; Lake Erie, Henshall, 

1889. 

Catostomus commersonii (Lacepede). Common Sucker; 
Fine-scaled Sucker. 

Head rather conical, 4% m length of bod} T , flattish above, but not con- 
cave between the eyes. Body moderately stout, terete or sub-terete, becom- 
ing heavier at the shoulders with age, depth 4 to 5 in length. D. 11 or 12 ; 
scales small, 10-64 to 70-9. Color olivaceous, tending toward blackish on 
back and lateral line. Length 18 inches. 

One of the commonest species in the state, found in abund- 
ance in nearly every stream. Recorded for the state by Kirt- 
land for the Big Miami, and small brooks of northern Ohio ; 
" Swarming in every pond and stream in Ohio," Jordan (Ohio 
Rept.); Hamilton County, " Everywhere abundant," Henshall, 
1888; Lorain County, "Very common in all our waters," 
McCormick, 1892 ; recorded by Kirsch for nearly every locality 
seined in the Maumee River System, 1893 ; taken by Mr. Wil- 
liamson and myself in every stream in Franklin County, 1897 ; 
in every stream of the Big Jelloway Creek System in Knox 
County, Parker, Williamson and Osburn, 1898 ; taken by myself 
in 1899, at the following places : Ohio river and Ice creek at 



CATOSTOMIDJE. 35 

Ironton, John's creek at Waterloo, Huron river at Milan, Ashta- 
bula creek at Ashtabula, Wabash river at Celina, Stillwater and 
Wolf creeks near Dayton, and Xorth Fork of Licking river at 
Newark ; and in 1900 in the Cuyahoga river at Hawkins, Break- 
neck creek near Kent, Chippewa lake, Grand river at Painesville, 
Chagrin river at Willoughby, Wheeling creek at Bridgeport, Ohio 
river and McMahon's Run at Bellaire, and Licking reservoir. 

Catostomus nigricans Le Sueur. Hog Sucker ; Stone Roeeer. 

Head large, concave between the eyes, /\% in length. Body nearly 
terete, depth ^]/ z to 5. D. 10 or 11 ; scales 48 to 55 in lateral line. Color, 
olive, becoming brownish on the back, which is crossed by several dark, 
irregular blotches ; belly white. Length 2 feet. 

This Sucker is very widel} 7 distributed over the state, being 
found in all suitable localities. Its especial haunts are clear, 
stony ripples and rock-bottomed pools. Not taken in lakes. 
Kirtland records it as two species, Hypentelhcm macropterum and 
Catostomus nigrans ; "extremely abundant in every running 
stream in Ohio," Jordan (Ohio Rept.); Hamilton County, 
"everywhere abundant," Henshall, 1888; Lorain Count3 T , 
McCormick, 1892 ; Kirsch, 1893, records it for the streams at 
nearly all points investigated in the Maumee River System, " none 
taken ' in the lakes ' ' ; Franklin Count} 7 , Scioto river, Olentangy 
river, Scioto Big Run, Grant's Run, Big Walnut creek, Rocky 
Fork, Black Lick, Alum creek, Big and Little Darby creeks and 
Hell Branch, Williamson and Osburn, 1897 ; every stream in the 
Big Jelloway Creek System, Parker, Williamson and Osburn, 
1898 ; Ohio river and Ice creek at Ironton, John's creek at Water- 
loo, Huron river at Milan, Ashtabula creek at Ashtabula, W r abash 
river at Celina, Stillwater and Wolf creeks near Dayton and 
North Fork of Licking river at Newark, R. C. Osburn, 1899 ; 
Cuyahoga river at Hawkins, Grand river at Painesville, Chagrin 
river at Willoughby, Wheeling creek at Bridgeport, Ohio river 
and McMahon's creek at Bellaire, and the outlet of Licking 
reservoir into Licking river, R. C. Osburn, 1900. 



36 THE FISHES OF OHIO. 



Genus: Erimyzon. 
Erimyzon sucetta oblongus (Mitchell). Sweet Sucker; 
Chub Sucker. 
Head 4 to 4% in length ; snout not projecting ; eye \% to 434" in head- 
Body stout, compressed ; depth in adults about 3, but younger specimens- 
much more slender ; back arched, old specimens becoming quite gibbous at 
the nape. Lateral line entirely wanting. Scales about 40, closely imbri- 
cated and somewhat crowded anteriorly, sometimes showing irregularities of 
arrangement. Length 10 inches. Color varying with age, in adults brown 
or brownish olive above, with a tendency to brassy on sides and belly ; 
younger specimens are plain olivaceous, occasionally bright, " gold-fish 
yellow " ; very young with a distinct, black lateral band, which breaks up 
into blotches a little later. Ohio specimens show some variations between 
the typical E. succtia and the variety oblongus, but seem to agree more 
closely with the variety than with the typical form. 

The Chub Sucker, or Sweet Sucker, is widely distributed, over 
the state, but its occurrence is irregular. At some points it is an 
abundant species, at others rare. " Common in Little Miami and 
Ohio rivers," Henshall, 1888 ; " not common, I have taken a few 
in the lower part of Beaver creek," McCormick, 1892 ; Maumee 
river at Toledo, St. Joseph river at Edgerton, St. Mary's river at 
St. Mary's, Tiffin river at West Unity, Lost and Gordon creeks 
near Cecil, Kirsch, 1893 ; Franklin County, Scioto river, Scioto 
Big Run, Grant's Run, Big Darby, Little Darby and Hell 
Branch, Osburn and Williamson, 1897 ; Ohio river at Ironton, 
Wabash river at Celina, Stillwater and Wolf creeks near Dayton, 
R. C. Osburn, 1899 ; Licking reservoir, K. B. Williamson ; San- 
dusky Bay, very common in Black Channel, Grand river at 
Painesville, Chagrin river at Willoughby, Wheeling creek at 
Bridgeport, and Ohio river and McMahon creek at Bellaire, R. C. 
Osburn, 1900. 

Genus: Minytrema. 
Minytrema melanops (Rafinesque). Winter Sucker ; Spotted Sucker; 

Striped Sucker. 
Head 4% ; snout round, a trifle projecting. Body elongate, somewhat 
terete, back somewhat arched in front of dorsal fin ; depth about 4. D. 12 ; 
A. 7. Scales about 46. Lateral line wanting in young, present but more or 
less interrupted in adults. Coloration dusky olive above, each scale with a 
more or less distinct black spot at its base, these forming rows along the 
rows of scales. Length about 18 inches. 



CATOSTOMIDi£. 37 

Not usually a common species, though widely distributed. 
Recorded by Kirtland, 1838 ; Hamilton County, Little Miami 
and tributaries, Henshall, 1888; Lorain County, "Rare, Ver- 
million river and Beaver creek," McCormick, 1892; Maumee 
river at Grand Rapids, St. Joseph river at Edgerton, Fish creek 
at Edgerton, St. Mary's river at St. Mary's and Rockford, 
Auglaize river at Wapakoneta and Cloverdale, Blanchard river at 
Findlay, Kirsch, 1893 ; Franklin County, Scioto river, Olentangy 
river, Black Lick, Little Walnut and Big Darby, Williamson and 
Osburn, 1897 ; Stillwater creek near Dayton, and Wabash river 
near Celina, R. C. Osburn, 1899. At the latter place, in a series 
of pools formed by the outlet of St. Mary's reservoir, the species 
was taken in abundance, the only time I have ever taken more 
than a few individuals in one locality. 

Genus: Moxostoma. 
Key to Species. 

A. Dorsal fin of 15 to 18 rays ; lower lip V-shaped.— am'surum. 

A A. Dorsal fin of less than 15 rays ; lower lip truncate behind, not evidently V-shaped. 

B. Head rather large, 4 to nearly 5 in length, snout little projecting.— aureolum. 

BB. Head small and conic, about 5% in length, the snout much projecting beyond 
the small mouth. — breviceps. 

Moxostoma anisurum (Rafinesque). White-nosed Sucker. 

Head short and broad, flattened above, $% to 4.% in length, eye midway 
in head, 4 to 5 in its length. Body compressed ; back high, considerably 
jnore arched than in M. aureolum ; depth 3^ in length. Fins all large. 
Color bright olivaceous to smoky above, white or silvery on sides and belly. 
Most easily distinguished from other species of the genus occurring in Ohio, 
by the long dorsal fin, containing from 15 to 18 rays. 

This species is found in both the Lake and Ohio river drain- 
age, but is not usually very common, and is confined to the larger 
streams. Ohio river, " as far as Pittsburg," Rafinesque. Given 
by Jordan (Ohio Rept. ) as three species — M. anisurum, of which 
lie says, " I have seen a few specimens, obtained in the Cincin- 
nati market "; M. velatum, " frequently taken in the Ohio river 
and its tributaries," and M. carpio, from I^ake Erie and the Ohio 
at Cincinnati and Marietta. These three are now regarded as 
.synonymous (See Bull. 47, U. S. Natl. Mus.). Hamilton County, 



38 THE FISHES OF OHIO. 

not uncommon in Ohio river, Henshall, 1888 ; Lorain County, 
McCormick, 1892 ; Maumee river at Antwerp, Defiance and 
Toledo ; Tiffin river at West Unity and Brunersburg, Auglaize 
river at Cloverdale, Oakwood and Defiance ; Blanchard river at 
Ottawa, Hoaglin creek near Oakwood, Beaver creek at Grand 
Rapids, Kirsch, 1893 ; Franklin County, Scioto river, Olentangy 
river and Alum creek, Williamson and Osburn, 1897 I Ohio river 
at Ironton, Huron river at Milan, R. C. Osburn, 1899 ; Ohio 
river at Bellaire, Licking reservoir, R. C. Osburn; 1900. 

Moxostoma aureolum (Le Sueur). Red-horse ; MuiXET ; 
White Sucker. 

Head 4 to 5, flattened above ; snout slightly projecting ; eye 4^ in head. 
Body rather stout, somewhat compressed ; back, little elevated ; depth 4 in 
length. D. 13. or more rarely 12 or 14 ; A. 7 ; scales about 45. Color oliva- 
ceous above, sides silvery ; lower fins reddish, especially during the breed- 
ing season. 

Until very recent years this has been recorded as two species, 
the short-headed, small- mouthed form as M. aureolum, and the 
more ordinary form as M. macrolepidotum duquesriii ( Le Sueur). 
This matter is cleared up by Jordan and Evermann (Bull. 47, 
U. S. Natl. Mus.). It is very probable that some collectors have 
confused the short-headed form with M. breviceps (Cope), as I 
can find no record of M. breviceps for Ohio in aii}^ paper preceding 
Bull. 47, U. S. Natl. Mus., in which it is recorded as abundant 
in some portions of the state. However, as I have no direct evi- 
dence of any such error, I include all records for M. aureolum 
and M. macrolepidotum duquesnii under M. aureolum. Ohio 
river, " as far as Pittsburg," Rafinesque ; recorded for the state 
by Kirtland as Catostomus anreolus, C. Duquesnii and C. ery- 
thurus ; Hamilton County, " abundant in all streams explored," 
Lake Erie, Henshall, 1888-89 ! Lorain County, McCormick, 
1892 ; Maumee river at Defiance, Grand Rapids and Waterville,. 
St. Mary's river at Rockford, Auglaize river at Oakwood, Sugar 
creek at Lima, St. Joseph river at Edgerton, west end of Lake 
Erie, Kirsch, 1893; Franklin County, " abundant, taken in all 
but the smallest streams," Williamson and Osburn, 1897 I Knox 
County, Big Jelloway creek system, "abundant, the young fry 



catostomid.k. 39 

ascending even the smallest brooks," Ma)- 26 given as a breeding 
date, Parker, Williamson and Osburn, 1898 ; Ohio river and Ice 
creek at Ironton, John's creek at Waterloo, Huron river at Milan, 
Sandusky Bay, Ashtabula creek at Ashtabula, Wabash river at 
Celina, Stillwater and Wolf creeks near Dayton, North Fork of 
Licking river at Newark, R. C. Osburn, 1899; Niggermill Run 
at Salem, E. B. Williamson, 1900 ; Cuyahoga river at Hawkins, 
Grand river at Painesville, Chagrin river at Willoughby, Wheel- 
ing creek at Bridgeport, Ohio river and McMahon creek at 
Wheeling, Licking reservoir, R. C. Osburn, 1900. 

Moxostoma breviceps (Cope). 

Form of a Coregonus, with deep, compressed body, small head, and a 
conic snout, which overhangs the very small mouth. Caudal fin, with the 
upper lobe falcate, much longer than the lower. Dorsal fin short, high, 
falcate, the anterior rays i}{ to i*4 times base of fin, the free border much 
concave. Depth 3 }4 in length. Head 5 to 5 "4. D. 12 or 13. Scales 6-45-5. 
Lower fins bright red. 

"Abundant in Lake Erie; our specimens from Sandusky, 
Toledo and Cincinnati," Jordan and Evermann (Bull. 47, U. S. 
Natl. Mus.). 

Genus: Placopharvxx. 

Placopharynx duquesnii (Le Sueur). 

Head 4 ; snout rounded, projecting ; lower jaw somewhat oblique when 
closed ; eye 4^ in head. Body rather stout, somewhat compressed, in form 
like that of M. aureolum ; D. 13 ; A. 7 (not 9, as is usually given, in any 
Ohio specimens I have seen); scales 6-45-6. Lower pharyngeal bones very 
strong, the lower teeth on these bones very strong and molar-like, little 
compressed, and having broad grinding surfaces. 

This species so closely resembles M. aureolum that it can be 
positively distinguished only by the appearance of the lower 
pharyngeal teeth, and it has no doubt been much overlooked. 
Recorded by Jordan (Ohio Rept.) on the strength of a skeleton 
found by Dr. J. M. Wheaton in the Scioto river at Columbus, one 
of the very few specimens known at that time. The species has 
since proved to be well distributed over the state, though not 
usually abundant. Hamilton Count}', not rare in the Ohio, Hen- 
shall, 1888 ; Lorain Count}*, Lake Erie, common with other 



40 THE FISHES OF OHIO. 

mullets, McCormick, 1892 ; Franklin County, Scioto river, Olen- 
tangy river and Big Darby creek, Williamson and Osburn, 1897 ; 
Ohio river at Ironton, Wabash river at Celina, R. C. Osburn, 
1899 ; Ohio river at Bellaire, R. C. Osburn, 1900. 

Genus: L,agochii<a. 

Lagochila lacera Jordan and Brayton. Hare-lip Sucker ; 
Cut-lips. 

Head short, conical, with lengthened snout, the region between the eyes 
flattened and with prominent mucous ridges. Cheeks and lower part of head 
rather swollen. Opercle much reduced, its greatest length scarcely greater 
than diameter of eye. Head 473 in length. Eye 4^ in head, 2 in length of 
snout. Body rather slender, depth 4%. Dorsal fin rather low, its rays 12 ; 
A. 7 ; V. 9 ; scales 5-45-5. Mouth very singular ; the upper lip is broad and 
fleshy, not separated from the skin of the forehead hx a crease ; at each side 
of the mouth a sharp fold of skin is formed, which descends to the mid line 
below, passing under the lower jaw, but is separated from that of the oppo- 
site side by a longitudinal crease ; in front of these the fleshy lower lip is 
split into two large depending lobes. 

This species has been recorded for but three localities in the 
state. Its rare occurrence in the state was first noted by 
Dr. Jordan in Klippart's "Second. Annual Report of the Ohio 
State Fish Commission for 1877," where he says : " Mr. Klip- 
part finds it very abundant in the Scioto, where it has been over- 
looked by all the collectors from Rafinesque and Kirtland down , ' ' 
and Mr. Klippart further comments : ' ' The fisherman assured 
me that he had taken them several years in succession." Twenty 
years later, the investigations on the fishes of Franklin County, 
carried on by Mr. Williamson and the writer, and extending over 
a period of several years, failed to bring to light a single speci- 
men of this species, though the Scioto river was hauled in many 
places. The species has been taken in the state by Kirsch, in 
1893, i n the Auglaize river at Cloverdale, and in the Blanchard 
river at Ottawa. 



KEY TO GENERA. — CYPRINID^. 41 

Family: Cyprinid.E (The Minnows). 
Key to Genera. 

I. (Dorsal fin long, with 2 or 3 spines, and 18 or 20 rays ; introduced species. 

A. Teeth in 3 rows, 1, 1, 3-3. 1, 1, all molar ; 4 barbels.— Cyprinus. 

AA. Teeth in 1 row, 4-4, molar, but compressed ; barbels wanting.— Carassius.) 

II. Dorsal fin short, without developed spine. 

A. Air bladder surrounded by many convolutions of the very long alimentary 

canal.— Campostoma. 

AA. Air bladder above the alimentar}' canal, not surrounded by convolutions of the 
intestine. 
B. Alimentary canal more than twice the length of body ; teeth in 1 row 5 
peritoneum usually black. 
C. Teeth 5-5 or 4-5 ; scales minute.— Chrosomus. 

CC. Teeth 4-4 ; scales larger. 

D. A small barbel present at base of maxillary ; color silvery.— 

Hybognathus. 
DD. Barbel wanting; color olivaceous, little silvery. — Pimephales. 
BB. Alimentar3 r canal less than twice the length of body; peritoneum usually 
silvery. 
E. Eower jaw normally formed, dentary bones free from each other 
except at the symphysis. 
F. Teeth in main row 5-5 or 4-5. 

G. Abdomen rounded behind ventral fins, not compressed 
into a scaleless ridge; anal basis >hort. 
H. A minute barbel present on maxillary at a little 

distance above its base. — Semotilus. 

HH. Maxillary without barbel. 

I. Teeth in 2 rows, 2, 4-5, 2.— L,eucisctjs. 

II. Teeth in 1 row, 5-5. Mouth extremely small. — 

Opsopceodus. 
GG. Abdomen compressed behind ventral fins into a sharp, 
scaleless ridge; anal basis longer. — Abramis. 

FF. Teeth in main row 4-4. 

J. Maxillary without barbel. 

K. No cavernous lymph spaces visible in mandible, 
sub-opercle and inter-opercle. 
1,- First (rudimentary) ray of dorsal detached 
from the first developed ray and connected 
to it by a membrane; a conspicuous black 
spot at base of caudal and dorsal — Cliola. 
EI*. First (rudimentary) ray closely attached to 
first developed ray. — Notropis. 

KK. Mandible, sub-opercle and inter-opercle, with con- 
spicuous, externally visible, cavernous lymph 
chambers.— Ericymba. 

JJ. Maxillary barbel present. 

M. Premaxillaries not protractile, connected to skin of 
forehead in the median line without a cross 
groove; teeth 2, 4-4, 2. Rhikichthys. 

MM. Premaxillaries protractile, a cross groove separat- 
ing them from the skin of forehead in front; only 
1 tooth in lesser row- Hybopsis. 

EE. Eower jaw singular^ formed, the dentary bones parallel and united 
for their entire length ; a conspicuous, fleshy lobe on each side at 
base— Exoglossum. 



42 THE FISHES OF OHIO. 

Genus: Cyprinus. 
Cyprinus carpio Linnaeus. The Carp. 

The Carp may be readily distinguished from any of our native Cyprinidce by the 
presence of four long barbels, and by the ver\ r long dorsal fin— about 20 rays— preceded by 
a stout spine, which is serrated behind. Anal fin .short, of about 5 rays, also preceded by 
a spine. The lower phar3'ngeal teeth, unlike those of any native American Minnow, are- 
in 3 rows, 1, 1, 3-3, i, 1. The lateral line is complete. Many varieties have resulted from 
cultivation. Chief among these are the "Full-scale,'' in which the body is covered with 
strong scales, after the formula, 6-40-5; the " Half-scale " or " Mirror," characterized by a 
few rows of very large scales ; and the "Leather Carp," in which the scales are entirely 
absent. 

The Carp was first introduced into the state to stock ponds and lakes, 
but, escaping from cultivation, has become generally distributed over the 
state and occurs in streams as well as ponds and lakes. Recorded for the 
state bv Henshall, 1889, in Ross lake and Little Miami river; Lorain County, 
occasionally taken in the rivers, McCormick, 1892; Maumee river at Toledo 
(abundant), St. Marys river at Rockford, Tiffin river at West Unity, and 
west end of Lake Erie (abundant), Kirsch, 1893; Franklin County, "of 
general distribution throughout the county," Williamson and Osburn, 1897; 
Knox County, Big Jelloway creek, "very common," Parker, Williamson 
and Osburn, 189S; very common in Sandusky Bay, R. C. Osburn, 1899; 
Wheeling creek at Bridgeport, Ohio river at Bellaire, and Licking reservoir, 
R. C. Osburn, 1900. 

Genus: Carassius. 
Carassius auratus (Linnaeus). Goldfish. 

The Goldfish may be distinguished from our native Minnows by the very long dorsal 
fin, preceded by a stout, serrated spine ; the anal of 7 rays, with a similar spine. From 
the C*arp it is distinguished by the absence of the bar! els about the mouth, and by the 
teeth, which are 4-4. As in the Carp, cultivation has produced many varieties. 

It has escaped from cultivation in some parts of Ohio, and has been 
reported by Henshall, 1888, as " not rare in the canal basin near Elmwood,. 
Hamilton County. 

Genus: Tinca. 
Tinea tinca (Linnaeus). Tfnch. 

In the spring of 1898 a freshet carried away the banks of an artificial 
lake on the grounds of the Ohio State L T niversity, at Columbus, and many 
of the Tench, with which the lake was stocked, escaped into the Olentangy 
river. In September of the same year specimens were taken at the mouth 
of the small stream flowing from the lake to the river. Whether the Tench 
will hold its own in the streams of Ohio vet remains to be seen. 



CYPRixin.u. 45 



Genus : Campostoma. 

Campostoma anomalum (Rafinesque). Stone-ROI.i,rr ; . 
Stkkl-backkd Chub ; Mammy ; Dough-beij.y. 

This species is most easily distinguished by an examination of the intes- 
tine, which is very long and is wound in many convolutions about the air- 
bladder. This arrangement is peculiar to this genus among all known fishes. 
Head 4; depth 45; eye 5 to 5 }£ in head; D. 8; A. 7; scales 7-48-6; teeth 4-4. 
Body stoutish. Snout somewhat decurved, mouth inferior. Color brownish, 
almost black in adult breeding males; sides brassy, irregularly mottled with 
dark olivaceous or brown; fins usually plain, in breeding males the dorsal is 
tinged with orange, a black bar through its middle, other fins more or less 
tinged with orange. Entire dorsum of breeding males covered with tuber- 
cles. Young with a dark lateral band extending onto gill covers and between, 
eye and tip of snout. Length 6 to 8 inches. 

A very abundant and. widely distributed species, generally 
most abundant in small streams and on ripples of larger ones.. 
First recorded for the state by Kirtland under the name Exoglos- 
sum lesueurianum ; given by Jordan as " extremely abundant in 
every stream in the state ' ' ; Hamilton County, ' ( abundant in 
every stream explored," Henshall, 1888 ; Lorain County, " com- 
mon in most of our streams," McCormick, 1892 ; Franklin 
County, " very abundant everywhere," Williamson and Osburn, 
1897 5 Big Jellowa}^ creek system, " apparently the most abund- 
ant species," Parker, Williamson and Osburn, 1898 ; recorded 
for many places in the Maumee river system (not taken in St. 
Mary's river) by Kirsch, 1893 ; Ohio river and Ice creek at 
Ironton, Huron river at Milan, Ashtabula creek at Ashtabula, 
Wabash river at Celina, Stillwater and Wolf creeks near Dayton, 
north fork of Licking river at Newark, R. C. Osburn, 1899 ; 
Niggermill Run at Salem, K. B. Williamson, 1900 ; Cuyahoga 
river at Kent and Hawkins, Breakneck creek at Kent, Chippewa 
lake, Summit lake, Grand river at Painesyille, Chagrin river at 
Willoughby, Wheeling creek at Bridgeport, Ohio river and 
McMahon creek at Bellaire, Licking reservoir, R. C. Osburn,. 
1900. 



44 THE FISHES OF OHIO. 

Genus : Chrosomus. 

Chrosomus erythrogaster Rafinesque. Red-belwed Dace. 

Head 4; depth 4; eye 3^. D. 8; A. 8; teeth 5-5; scales 16-85-10. 
Body rather elongate, the head pointed; mouth small, terminal, somewhat 
oblique. Lateral line developed backward about as far as the dorsal fin. 
Color above, brownish; a black vertebral line, bordered on either side by a 
row of black dots; sides creamy white, bordered above and below with a 
black band, the lower the wider and extending forward through eye; under 
parts white, in breeding males entirely suffused with vermillion; fins all 
bright sulphur yellow, the dorsal with a bright red spot at its base, anteriorly; 
females and young less brilliantly colored. Length 2 to 3 inches. 

The Red-bellied Dace is widely distributed and is generally 
abundant where found, but it is strictly a " brook species," being 
confined to small clear streams and spring runs. Recorded for 
the state by Dr. Kirtland ; Lorain County, " I have found them 
in but one stream, Spring brook," McCormick, 1892 ; " collected 
by Prof. Meek in Lost creek, near Defiance," Kirsch, 1893 > 
Franklin County, Grant's Run and Plum Run, tributaries of the 
Scioto river, in abundance, Williamson and Osburn, 1897 ; Knox 
County, Parker's Run, a tributary of Big Jelloway creek, "in 
considerable numbers," Parker, Williamson and Osburn, 1898 ; 
Licking County, occurring in abundance in spring runs tributary 
to North Fork of Licking river near Newark, R. C. Osburn, 1899; 
Niggermill Run at Salem, E. B. Williamson, 1900. 

Genus: Hybognathus. 

Hybognathus nuchalis Agassiz. Silvery Minnow. 

Head 4^ to 5; depth 4^; eye 4; D. 8; A. 7; teeth 4-4; scales 5-38-4. 
Body elongate, comparatively slender. Head moderate, the profile evenly 
curved; upper jaw heavy, lower thin. Scales large and silvery, 12 to 14 in 
front of dorsal. Lateral line decurved. Intestines very long, 7 to 10 times 
the length of body. Color olivaceous green above, translucent in life; sides 
clear silvery; fins plain. Length 4 to 7 inches. 

This species seems to be confined to the southwestern part of 
the state. Jordan, in his Ohio Report, gives it as abundant in 
small streams flowing into the Ohio river, but Dr. Henshall 
records it for only White Oak creek and the Ohio river, and in 
my work at Ironton and Bellaire I failed to find it. This species 
is not mentioned by any other collector. 



cyprinid.k. 45 



Gen us : PlMEPHA LES . 
Key to Species. 

A. Lateral line more or less incomplete; body very short and stout.— promelas. 

AA. Lateral line complete ; body moderately elongate.— notatus. 

Pimephales promelas Rafinesque. Fat-head. 

Head 4; depth 2>}4 to 4; eye 4. D. I, 7; A. 7; scales 7 or 8-43 to 47-5 or 
6. Body very short and deep. Head short, everywhere convex, almost 
globular in adult males. Scales deep, closely imbricated; lateral line incom- 
plete. Color dark olivaceous above, paler below; a dark lateral band and 
caudal spot; dorsal fin with a dusky shade through it at the middle, Breed- 
ing males with the head nearly black, with tubercles on snout and lower 
jaw. Length 2)4 inches. 

Recorded by Kirtland. Given by Jordan as most abundant 
in small streams flowing into the Ohio ; Hamilton County, " very 
abundant everywhere," Henshall, 1888; Lorain County, "not 
common, but found in most of the streams," McCormick, 1892 ; 
Maumee river at Cecil, Lost and Gordon creeks near Cecil, Sugar 
creek at Lima, Kirsch, 1893 ! Knox Count}', Big Jelloway creek, 
rare, Parker, Williamson and Osburn, 1898 ; Ohio river at Iron- 
ton, Wabash river at Celina, Stillwater and Wolf creeks near 
Dayton, R. C. Osburn, 1899 ; Niggermill Run at Salem, E. B. 
Williamson, 1900 ; Pippin lake, Cuyahoga river at Hawkins, 
Ohio river at Bellaire, R. C. Osburn, 1900. 

Pimephales notatus (Rafinesque). Blunt-nosed Minnow. 

Head \ x / 2 \ depth \]A, to 5; eye 4. D. I, 7 or 8; A. 7; scales 6-45-4, 22 m 
front of dorsal, much crowded and irregularly arranged anteriorly. Body 
rather elongate. Head moderate, the snout very blunt and convex; top of 
head depressed; mouth small, inferior, horizontal. Color olivaceous, some- 
times very dark; a black spot at base of dorsal fin in front. Males in breed- 
ing season with the head black or nearly so, and with about 16 large tuber- 
cles on the snout. Length 4 inches. 

This species is much more abundant than the preceding. 
"Swarms in all the streams of the state," Jordan; Hamilton 
County, " the most abundant minnow," Henshall. 1888 ; Lorain 
County, "very abundant in small streams," McCormick, 1892 ; 
Kirsch records it for every stream of the Maumee river system 
explored in Ohio; Franklin County, ' ' our most abundant minnow, 



46 THE FISHES OF OHIO. 

in great numbers in every stream," Williamson and Osburn, 
1897 ; Knox County, abundant in every stream of the Big Jellow- 
way creek system, Parker, Williamson and Osburn, 1898 ; Ohio 
river and Ice creek at Ironton, Huron river at Milan, Sandusky 
Bay, Ashtabula creek at Ashtabula,* Wabash river at Celina, 
Stillwater and Wolf creeks near Dayton, North Fork of Licking 
river near Newark, R. C. Osburn, 1899 ; Niggermill Run at 
Salem, Mahoning river, E. B. Williamson, 1900 ; Pippin lake, 
Chippewa lake, Summit lake, Cuyahoga river at Kent and Haw- 
kins, Breakneck creek at Kent, Grand river at Painesville, Cha- 
grin river at Willoughby, Wheeling creek at Bridgeport, Ohio 
river and McMahon's creek at Bellaire, Licking reservoir, R. C. 
Osburn, 1900. 

Gemis: Semotiees. 

Semotilus atromaculatus (Mitchill). Horned Dace ; Chub. 

Head 3-4 ; depth 4; eye 5 to 5^. D. 7; A. S; scales 9-55 to 60-6, about 
30 in front of dorsal; teeth 2, 5-4, 2. Head large and heavy, broad and 
rounded above; snout broad; mouth broad, oblique; a small barbel on the 
maxillary some distance above its posterior end, not evident in young speci- 
mens. Body stout, arched in front of dorsal. Dorsal inserted behind ven- 
trals. Color dusk}- olivaceous or bluish above, paler below; sides with a 
brassy luster; an indistinct lateral band and caudal spot (these markings 
distinct in young). Dorsal with a black spot at its base anteriorly. Sides 
of head and lower fins rosy in breeding males. These have also the snout 
covered with tubercles. Length 10 inches. 

A widely distributed species, occurring abundantly in brooks 
throughout the state, less commonly in the larger streams, and 
rarely in lakes. In seining up stream the increase in number of 
individuals of this species as the headwaters are approached is 
very noticeable. Kirtland, following Rafinesque, recorded it for 
the state as two species, .5*. dorsalis and .S". cephalns. Both are 
synonyms of S. ati-omaciilatus. Hamilton County, "abundant in 
all streams," Henshall, 1888 ; L,orain County, " abundant in most 
of the streams," McCormick, 1892; "generally distributed 
throughout the Maumee river basin," Kirsch, 1893; Franklin 
County, abundant in all streams, Williamson and Osburn, 1897 i 
Knox County, Big Jelloway creek system, Parker, Williamson 



cyprixiilk. 47 

and Osburn, 1898 ; Ice creek at Ironton, John's creek at Water- 
loo, Huron river at Milan, Ashtabula creek at Ashtabula, Wabash 
river at Celina, Stillwater and Wolf creeks near Dayton, North 
Fork of Licking river at Newark, R. C. Osburn, 1899 ; Nigger- 
mill Run at Salem, Mahoning river, E. B. Williamson, 1900 ; 
Sandusky Bay, Cuyahoga river at Kent and Hawkins, Breakneck 
creek at Kent, Chippewa lake, Grand river at Painesville, Chagrin 
river at Willoughby, R. C. Osburn, 1900. 

Genus: Leuciscus. 

Leuciscus elongatus (Kirtland). Red-sided Dace. 

Head 4; depth 5; eye 4 to 4*3. D. 8; A. 9; scales 10-70-5; teeth 2, 5-4, 
2. Body elongate, compressed; head long, pointed; mouth very large, 
oblique, the maxillary extending to middle of orbit ; lower jaw projecting, 
with a small knob at its symphysis. Color above varying from a dark blu- 
ish to greenish, sides somewhat paler and mottled; a dark vertebral line; 
along the side is a broad band, bright blood red anteriorly, black posteriorly, 
the two colors shading into each other imperceptibly at about middle of 
bod}r; above this band is a narrow brassy band; belly silvery white. In 
breeding males the belly and lower fins are tinged with rosy; in females and 
young the bright colors are subdued or wanting. Length 5 inches. 

The Red-sided Shiner is certainly one of the most elegant of 
fishes. It is, generally speaking, a brook species, inhabiting 
clear deep pools of brooks and spring runs, though Dr. Kirtland, 
who described the species, records it for Lake Erie. It is found 
in the tributaries of the Ohio and of the Lake, but has not been 
noticed in the western part of the state. Mahoning river in 
Trumbull Count}", and Lake Erie near Cleveland, Kirtland ; 
Lorain County, "common in Spring brook, but not found else- 
where," McCormick, 1892 ; Knox County, Little Jellowa3 T creek, 
Black Run, Parker's Run, Joe Sapp Run, Shadly Run and Doudy 
creek, tributaries of Big Jelloway creek, common, Parker, Will- 
iamson and Osburn, 1898 ; Wilson's Run, a small tributary of 
the North Fork of Licking river near Newark, R. C. Osburn, 
1899 ; Niggermill Run at Salem, E. B. Williamson, 1900 ; a 
small tributary of the Grand river at Painesville, R. C. Osburn, 
1900. 



48 THE FISHES OF OHIO. 

Genus: Opsopceodus. 

Key to Species. 

A. Lateral line complete or very nearly so; dorsal fin with black blotch on. anterior 
rays, usually none on the posterior.— emilics. 

AA. Lateral line always incomplete; dorsal usually with a conspicuous black spot on 
posterior rays.— megalops. 

Opsopceodus emilise Hay. 

Head about 4^; depth 4?; eye 3. D. 9; A. 8; scales 5-40-3; teeth 5-5,. 
very slender, strongly hooked, and deeply serrate. Body rather elongate, 
moderately compressed, not elevated. Head short and slender. Muzzle 
blunt and rounded. Mouth very small and very oblique, smaller than in 
any other of our Cyprinidoj, with scarcely any lateral cleft. Caudal peduncle 
long and slender, caudal deeply forked, Breast naked; 16 scales before 
dorsal. Lateral line complete or very nearly so. Yellowish; sides silvery; 
scales above dark edged; usually a dark lateral band from snout to caudal, 
above and below which are series of black dots; anterior rays of dorsal dark, 
no black spot on the posterior rays. 

Given by Jordan and Evermann (Bull. 47) for Lake Erie ; 
" two small specimens from the St. Mary's river at St. Mary's," 
Kirsch, 1893. 

Opsopoeodus megalops (Forbes). 

Head 4-V ; depth 4 to 5; eye 2^'. D. 7 or S; A. 7 or S; scales 5-39-4, 15 
before dorsal. Teeth 5-5, hooked and crenate. Lateral line always incom- 
plete, sometimes on 4 or 5 scales only; sometimes extending with interrup- 
tions to middle of caudal peduncle. Body slender, fusiform; mouth small, 
terminal, oblique, so much so in old specimens as to appear almost vertical, 
the chin projecting beyond mouth, in younger specimens the mouth is less 
oblique. Top of head covered with prickles in old males. Fins large, caudal 
deeply forked. Breast partly naked. Yellowish brown, sides silvery; scales 
above dark-edged. Dorsal fin with a black blotch on 4 anterior rays; a 
second black blotch usually present on 3 posterior rays. Length 2]A, inches. 

I have given above the separation of O. emilicc and O. mega- 
lops as given by Jordan and Evermann (Bull. 47, U. S. Natl. 
Mus. ) They suggest in regard to O. megalops that it is " per- 
haps not a distinct species." A comparative study of these forms 
confirms this belief. A dozen specimens taken by the writer in 
the headwaters of the Wabash river at Celina, August, 1899, and 
two from Summit lake at Akron, July 30, 1900, are referable to 
O. megalops as given above, but so many variations between 



CYPRINID.*;. 49 

O. cmilicc and megalops exist among these specimens that it is 
possible to establish a graduated series between the two species, 
and none of the characters given in the above separation are found 
to be constant. The lateral line in some cases ceases in front of 
the dorsal fin, and in others is continuous to within two or three 
scales of the caudal. The second dorsal spot is also subject to 
great variation, for, while in old males it is distinct, in some cases 
it is very indistinct or wanting altogether. The fin formulae and 
squamation of the breast also vary. Recently, through the 
kindness of Dr. S. E. Meek, I have been permitted to examine 
specimens of O. emilice from Indian Territory, Arkansas and 
Illinois, in the Field Columbian Museum at Chicago. These 
specimens show much the same variation as that given for O. 
megalops. As I have had no opportunity to compare with the 
type specimens, I hesitate to reduce O. megalops to synonymy,, 
although the two species, as determined by Dr. Meek and myself, 
undoubtedly intergrade. 

Genus: Abramis. 

Abramis crysoleucas (Mitchill). Golden Shiner ; 
Golden Bream ; Roach. 

Head 4*4; depth 3. D. 8; A. 13; scales 10-46 to 55-3; teeth 5-5. Body 
strongly compressed, the belly behind ventrals compressed into a sharp keel, 
over which the scales do not pass. Color, greenish above, the sides silvery, 
with bright golden reflections. Length about a foot. 

The Golden Bream is an abundant resident of the state in 
suitable localities, being found chiefly in ponds, quiet pools and 
weedy bayous, apparently more common in the northern part of 
the state. Given by Rafmesque under the name Notemigo7ius 
auratus for the Ohio and Miami rivers ; recorded by Kirtland 
under the name Rutulus crysoleucas ; given by Jordan as ' ' ex- 
tremely abundant in every pond, lake or bayou"; Hamilton 
County, "common in Bloody Run and Clear creek," Henshall, 
1888; Lorain County, "very common in still waters," McCor- 
mick, 1892 ; Maumee river at Cecil, Grand Rapids, Waterville 
and Toledo, St. Mary's river at St. Mary's and Rockford, Tiffin 
river at West Unity, Auglaize river at Oakwood and Defiance, 
Sugar creek and Lost creek at Lima, Blanchard river at Findlay, 



50 THE FISHES OF OHIO. 

Kirsch, 1893 ; Franklin County, Scioto river, Scioto Big Run, 
Big Walnut creek, Mason's Run, Big Darby creek, Hell Branch, 
Williamson and Osburn, 1897 ; Knox County, Big Jelloway 
creek, Parker, Williamson and Osburn, 1898 ; Sandusky Bay, 
Ashtabula creek at Ashtabula, Wabash river at Celina, R. C. 
Osburn, 1899 ; Niggermill Run at Salem, E. B. Williamson, 
1900 ; Chippewa lake, Licking reservoir, R. C. Osburn, 1900. 

Genus: Cuola. 
Cliola vigilax (Baird and Girard). 

Head $%\ depth \)/ z \ eye y/ z . D. 8; A. 7; scales 8-42-6, about 28 
before dorsal; teeth 4-4, with grinding surface and slight hook. Superfici- 
ally, much resembling Pimephales notatus, but the form is more stout, the 
mouth more terminal, and the alimentary canal less than twice the length 
of the body. Caudal peduncle quite deep. Color, greenish, sides pale, 
darker above, the scales above dark-edged; a dark lateral band ending in a 
distinct caudal spot; a well defined black spot on anterior rays of dorsal. 
Length 3 inches. 

This minnow has, to the best of my knowledge, been recorded 
from but two localities in the state. It has been taken by Hen- 
shall in Hamilton County, " common in O'Bannon creek," and a 
single specimen was taken in Big Walnut creek, Franklin County, 
by Mr. E. B. Williamson and the writer in 1897. It is probably 
common nowhere in the state except in the southwestern part, as 
its range is for the most part farther south and west. 






CYPRINIM. 51 



Genus: Notropis. 

Key to Species. 

A. Teeth 4-4, 1, 4-4, o, or 1, 4-4, 1 (sometimes 2 teeth in one or both inner rows in N. 
hudsonius and N. heterodon). 
B. Scales not very closely imbricated, not notably deeper than long; dorsal in- 
serted nearly over the ventrals; no black spot on dorsal fin. 
C. Teeth one-rowed, 4-4 (sometimes 2, 4-4, 2 in N. heterodon). 

D. Lateral line usually more or less incomplete; small species, usually 
with a dusky lateral band. 

E. Mouth very small, chin pale.— cayuga. 
EE. Mouth moderate; chin black.— heterodon. 

DD. lateral line always complete; small, weak species. 

F. Fins all small and low, pectorals not reaching ventrals.— 

btennius. 
FF. Fins high, pectorals reaching ventrals.— volucellus. 

CC. Teeth two-rowed, 1, 4-4, 0; 1, 4-4, 1; or 1, 4-4, 2, the grinding surface more 
or less developed. 
G. No distinct dark spot at base of caudal.— shumardi. 

GG. A distinct dark spot present at base of caudal fin.— hudsonius. 
BB. Scales deeper than long, closely imbricated along side of body. Usually a dis- 
tinct black spot on last rays of dorsal.— whipplii. 
AA. Teeth 2, 4-4, 2 (2, 4-4, 1 in N.jejunus). 

H. Anal fin short, of 7 to 9 developed rays. 

I. Teeth with the grinding surface developed. 

J. Scales closely imbricated along the sides, no dark spot at base of 

caudal. — cornutus. 

J J. Scales not closely imbricated, a dark spot at base of caudal at least 
in young. 
K. 13 scales before dorsal fin. — heterodon. 

KK. 18 scales before dorsal. — hudsonius. 

II. Teeth without evident grinding surface, scales not closely imbricated. 
Iy. Eye very large, 2? in head; teeth 2, 4-4, 2. — ariommus. 
EL- Eye 2,% in head, teeth 2, 4-4, 1. — jejunus. 

HH. Anal fin long, of 11 or 12 rays; dorsal inserted behind ventrals. 

M. Scales not closely imbricated on sides, not crowded anteriorly. 

N. Eye very large, 2% to 3. — arge. 

NN. Eye smaller, sH to 4- 

O. Front of dorsal midway between snout and base of caudal fin; 

e Y e i% — atherinoides. 

OO. Front of dorsal nearer to base of caudal than to snout; eye 4. — 

rubrifrons. 
MM. Scales small and crowded anteriorly, closely imbricated; a black spot at 
base of caudal. — umbratilis. 

Notropis cayuga Meek. 

Head 4 or a little over; depth 4 l / z \ eye 3^. D. 8; A. 8; scales in lateral 
line about 36, 14 before dorsal; teeth 4-4. Close to N. heterodon, from 
which it can be distinguished most readily by the absence of any black on 
the chin. Lateral line wanting on some scales. Jaws nearly equal. A black 
band along lateral line, continued forward along sides of head and around 
snout on upper jaw. Length iy 2 inches. 



52 THE FISHES OF OHIO. 

First recorded for the state by Kirsch, 1893, " a ^ ew specimens 
from the Maumee river at Toledo"; Franklin County, "rare in 
Big Walnut and Little Darby creeks, common in Mason's Run," 
Williamson and Osburn, 1897 5 Sandusky Bay and Ashtabula 
creek at Ashtabula, common in both places, R. C. Osburn, 1899. 
This species seems to have been overlooked or confused with 
some other species by the earlier investigators, as its occurrence 
in both the Lake and Ohio river drainage at the points above 
noted would indicate a pretty general distribution over the state 
in suitable localities. 

: Notropis heterodon ( Cope ) . 

Head 4; depth 4; eye 3, longer than snout. D. 8; A. 8; scales 5-36-3, 
13 in front of dorsal. The lateral line incomplete, extending usually about 
to dorsal fin, but varying greatly; teeth 4-4 (sometimes 2, 4-4, 2). Body 
moderate; the back slightly elevated, dorsal inserted nearer the snout than 
base of caudal. Coloration olivaceous, darker on the back; a distinct lateral 
band, which passes forward through eye and on both jaws; chin distinctly- 
black. Said to be an exceedingly variable species. 

Taken by the writer in Sandusky Bay, July, 1899, and again 
in Sandusky Bay at Cedar Point and Black Channel, 1900. 

Notropis blennius (Girard). Straw-colored Minnow. 
D. 8; A. 8; scales 5-36-4, 14 in front of dorsal; teeth 4-4. Head 4; 
depth 4 to 5; eye large, 3 in head. Body moderately stout, but little com- 
pressed. Head rather broad; mouth small, inferior, horizontal. Lateral 
line complete. Dorsal fin low, its longest ray % °f head. Coloration, pale 
or yellowish olive; sometimes with a dark lateral band, and edges of mouth 
dark. Length 2]/ 2 inches. An exceedingly variable Minnow. 

This insignificant looking species occurs widely and abundantly 
throughout the state and has been recorded by all the recent 
writers upon the fishes of the state, beginning with Jordan (Ohio 
Rept.), under various names — N. blennius, A r . deliciosus and N. 
strarkineus. Hamilton County, " abundant in Little Miami river 
and Clough creek," Henshall, 1888; Lorain County, given as 
two species, N. deliciosus, very abundant in all the streams, and 
A r . strami?ieus } not common, McCormick, 1892 ; Maumee river at 



* Notropis anogenus Forbes and N. fretensis (Cope), two small species closely re- 
sembling N. heterodo?i and N. cayuga, respectively, have been taken almost on onr borders 
in streams flowing into the state. They may be' looked for in north-western Ohio. N. 
anogenus may be known from A", heterodon by the usually complete lateral line and the 
included lower jaw. N. fretensis is separated from N. cayuga twith which it is perhaps 
identical), by the complete lateral line and the presence of 17 scales in front of the dorsal.. 



cyprinid.k. 53 

Antwerp, Cecil, Defiance and Waterville, Tiffin river at Bruners- 
burg, Auglaize river at Cloverdale, Sugar creek at Lima, Blanch- 
ard river at Ottawa, Beaver creek at Grand Rapids, Kirsch, 1893 ; 
Franklin Count}', common in almost ever}' stream, females with 
eggs, July 16, Williamson and Osburn, 1897 ; Knox County, Big 
Jelloway creek system, "abundant, females with ripe eggs on 
May 25," Parker, Williamson and Osburn, 1898 ; Ice creek at 
Ironton, John's creek at Waterloo, Huron river at Milan, San- 
dusky Bay, Ashtabula creek at Ashtabula, Wabash river at 
Celina, Stillwater and Wolf creeks near Dayton, North Fork of 
Licking river at Newark, abundant in most places, R. C. Osburn, 
1899 ; Pippin lake, Cuyahoga river at Hawkins, Grand river at 
Painesville, Chagrin river at Willoughby, Wheeling creek at 
Bridgeport, Ohio river and McMahon's Run at Bellaire, Licking 
reservoir, R. C. Osburn, 1900. 

Notropis volucellus (Cope). 

Head 3^; depth 4; eye 3^. D. 8; A. 8; scales 4-34-3; teeth 4-4. Fins 
more elongate than in related species, the pectorals reaching ventrals. Very 
similar to N. blennius, but distinguished especially by the noticeably higher 
fins. Length 2% inches. 

The only record I am able to find of the occurrence of this 
species in Ohio is that given by Kirsch in his ' ' Report upon 
Investigations in the Maumee River System," in which he men- 
tions the fact that specimens from Gordon creek, taken by Prof. 
S. E. Meek, are given him as Notropsis deliciosus var. volucella 
Cope. Cope's volucellus is now 7 regarded as a distinct species. 

Notropis shumardi (Girard). 

Head 2>H\ depth 4i; eye very large, 2 ^ to 3 in head. D. 8; A. 7 or 8; 
scales 4 or 5-36-2 to 4, 13 in front of dorsal; teeth 1, 4-4, 1, with deep grind- 
ing surface, and the edge strongly crenate. Body compressed, the back 
elevated; tail slender. Head compressed, flattened above, below and on the 
sides; snout short, obtuse; mouth very oblique, terminal, lower jaw included. 
Fins large. Lateral line complete, decurved. Color, olivaceous above, pale 
below; a dark lateral band, and vertebral line; scales above dark-edged. 
Length 3 inches. 

Recorded by Kirsch as N. boops Gilbert, "common in the 
Maumee river at Grand Rapids," and " five specimens from the 



54 THE FISHES OF OHIO. 

Blanchard river at Findlay," 1893. Rare in Big Walnut creek, 
Franklin County, Williamson and Osburn, 1897 ; a single speci- 
men from Stillwater creek near Dayton, R. C. Osburn, 1899. 

Notropis hudsonius (De Witt Clinton). Spot-tailed Minnow; 

Shiner. 

Head 4^; depth 4; eye 3. D. 8; A. 8; scales 5-39-4, 18 before dorsal; 
teeth 1, 4-4, o or 1 or 2. Body elongate, considerably compressed in adult. 
Head short; muzzle blunt, decurved, shorter than the very large eye; mouth 
moderate, nearly horizontal, jaws sub-equal. Lateral line nearly straight, 
slightly decurved anteriorly. Coloration very pale, with a broad silvery 
band along side, this frequently underlaid with a dusky band. A dark spot 
at base of caudal, most distinct in young. Length 4 to 6 inches. 

This species is apparently confined to the most northern por- 
tions of the state, in Lake Erie and its larger tributaries. Lorain 
County, " common in the lake and at the mouth of the rivers," 
McCormick, 1892 ; " very common in the Maumee river at Grand 
Rapids, a single specimen at Toledo," Kirsch, 1893; Lake Erie 
near Sandusky, abundant, R. C. Osburn, 1900 ; Sandusky Bay,. 
Morse and Herbert T. Osborn, 1900. 

Notropis whipplii (Girard). Sii/ver-fin. 

Head 4 l 4; depth 4 in adult males, females and young much slenderer; 
eye 4%. D. 8; A. 8 or 9; scales 5 or 6-38 to 40-3 or 4; teeth r, 4-4, 1. Body 
moderately elongate, compressed, the back and belly about equally arched. 
Head rather short and deep. Scales closely imbricated (much higher than 
wide) and of a very regular pattern, about 18 in front of. dorsal. Color 
leaden or steel-blue, the sides silvery; a dark vertebral line; a black spot 
covering the posterior 3 membranes of the dorsal fin, this sometimes very 
much reduced in young and females, but always present. Breeding males 
have the fins tipped with creamy white, and the top of head and dorsal 
region in front covered with small prickles. Length 4 inches. 

This elegant little fish is widely distributed throughout the 
state, and is usually quite common in all suitable localities. 
Recorded by Kirtland under the name Luxilus ke?itukie?isis. 
Given by Jordan in his Ohio Report under the name Hudsonius 
analostanus, which he here confuses with N. whipplii. Notropis 
{Hudsonius) analostanus is an eastern form, possibly not specific- 
ally distinct from N. whipplii (see Jordan and Evermann, Bull. 
47, U. S. Natl. Mus.) Hamilton County, common in all streams 
explored, Henshall, 1888 ; Lorain County, all streams examined, 



cyprinim:. 55 

but not very common, McCormick, 1892 ; taken throughout the 
Maumee river basin in Ohio, except in Gordon creek and the west 
end of Lake Erie, Kirsch, 1893 ! Franklin County, occurs abund- 
antly in all the larger streams, females with ripe eggs June 28, 
Williamson and Osburn, 1897 ; Knox County, Big Jelloway creek 
and tributaries, not rare, Parker, Williamson and Osburn, 1898 ; 
Ohio river at Ironton, Huron river at Milan, Sandusky Bay, Ash- 
tabula creek at Ashtabula, Wabash river at Celina, Stillwater 
and Wolf creeks near Dayton, North Fork of Licking river at 
Newark, R. C. Osburn, 1899 ; Mahoning river, E. B. William- 
son, 1900 ; Cuyahoga river at Hawkins, Chippewa lake, Grand 
river at Painesville, Chagrin river at Willoughby, Wheeling creek 
at Bridgeport, Ohio river and McMahon's Run at Bellaire, 
Licking reservoir, R. C. Osburn, 1900. 

Notropis cornutus (Mitchill). Common Shiner ; Sieversides. 

Head $% to 4%; depth about 3 (2^ to 3^); eye 4SU- D- 8; A. 9; 
scales 6-41-3 or 4, closely imbricated, 18 or 20 before dorsal; teeth 2, 4-4, 2, 
with narrow grinding surface. Body varying much with age, in young 
slender, in adult short, deep and compressed. Lateral line decurved. Color 
above, dark olive green to steel-blue, sides silvery, with a brassy lateral 
band; a brassy vertebral line (this color showing only in fresh specimens, 
sometimes appearing as a dark line when out of water). Fins all plain, 
rosy tipped in breeding males. Females and young plainer. One of the 
most variable of our Minnows, varying with age, sex and season. Length 
about 10 inches. 

One of the most abundant of fishes all over the state. Given 
by Kirtland as Rutulus compressus and Luxulus chrysocephalus ; 
by Jordan as Luxulus cornutus. Hamilton County, as Notropis 
megalops, "abundant everywhere," Henshall, 1888; Lorain 
County, " very common everywhere," McCormick, 1892; 
Maumee river system, " every stream," Kirsch, 1893; Franklin 
County, "taken in every stream, generally abundant, females 
with eggs on July 6," Williamson and Osburn, 1897; Knox 
County, taken in every stream of the Big Jelloway creek system, 
Parker, Williamson and Osburn, 1898 ; Ohio river and Ice creek 
at Ironton, John's creek at Waterloo, Huron river at Milan, San- 
dusky Bay, Ashtabula creek, Wabash river at Celina, Stillwater 
and Wolf creeks at Dayton, and North Fork of Licking river at 



56 THE FISHES OF OHIO. 

Newark, R. C. Osburn, 1899; Niggermill Run and Mahoning 
river, E. B. Williamson, 1900 ; Cuyahoga river at Kent and 
Hawkins, Breakneck creek at Kent, Summit lake, Chippewa 
lake, Licking reservoir, Grand river at Painesville, Chagrin river 
at Willoughby, Wheeling creek at Bridgeport, Ohio river and 
McMahon's creek at Bellaire, R. C. Osburn, 1900. 

Notropis ariommus (Cope). 
Head 3^ to 4^; depth 4% to 5. D. S; A. 9; scales 6-39-2, large, 15 
before dorsal; teeth 2, 4-4, 2. Body stout, moderately elevated, somewhat 
compressed. Head heavy, broad above; snout moderate, somewhat decurved; 
mouth moderate, oblique, jaws equal. Eye very large, 2| in head, much 
longer than snout, larger than in an}- other Ohio Cyprinid. Lateral line 
much decurved. Color olivaceous, scales above dark-edged; sides and below 
bright silvery. Length 5 inches. 

Two specimens from the Maumee river at Antwerp, Kirsch, 
1893. 

Notropis jejunus (Forbes). 

Head 4; depth 4 2 3 ; eye 3-3 in head, equal to snout, less than inter- 
orbital space. D. 8; A. 7; scales 5-37-3; teeth 2, 4-4, 1. Body moderately 
slender; head flattish above; snout blunt and rounded. Dorsal over ven- 
trals; about 16 scales before dorsal. Color, pale olivaceous above, pale on 
sides and below, with a broad silvery band overlying a plumbeous shade, 
length 3 inches. 

The range of this species in the state seems to be limited to 
the Ohio river and the lower portions of its tributaries. Hamil- 
ton County, "common in Little Miami river and Bloody Run, 
Henshall, 1888 ; common in the Ohio river and Ice creek at 
Ironton and in John's creek at Waterloo, R. C. Osburn, 1899. 

Notropis atherinoides Rafinesque. 

Head 4 2 3 ; depth 5^; eye 3*4. D. S; A. 11; scales 5-38-3, 15 before 
dorsal; teeth 2, 4-4, 2. Body long and slender, compressed, back not ele- 
vated. Head blunt, conic, shorter than in related species. Mouth moder- 
ate, very oblique, upper lip on a level with upper part of pupil. Eye large, 
rather longer than snout. Fins low, front of dorsal midway between point 
of snout and base of caudal. Lateral line decurved. Color above clear, 
translucent olive-green, a yellow, iridescent vertebral line in life, which 
becomes darker in spirits; sides bright silvery, with sometimes a brassy 
lateral shade ; breeding males with snout rosy. Length 4 to 6 inches. 

* Notropis scabriceps, given by Jordan in the Ohio Rept., is confused probably with N. 
shumardi. X. scabriceps has not been noticed outside of the Kanawha river. (See Bull. 
47, U. S. Natl. Mus.) 



CYPRINIIhK. 57 

An elegant and graceful species, common and widely distrib- 
uted, found in all larger streams, usually on gravelly or sandy 
bottom, and in lakes under the same conditions. Recorded for 
the state by Kirtland as Minnilus dinemus. " Exceedingly com- 
mon in Lake Erie, and throughout the state one of the most 
abundant of minnows," Jordan (Ohio Rept.); Hamilton County, 
"common in Clough creek," Henshall, 1888; Lorain County, 
"very abundant at times," McCormick, 1892 ; Maumee river at 
Cecil, Grand Rapids and Toledo, St. Joseph river at Edgerton, 
Tiffin river at Brunersburg, Auglaize river at Wapakoneta and 
Cloverdale, " not common at an}' of these places," Kirsch, 1893 > 
Franklin County, common in all of the larger streams, William- 
son and Osburn, 1897 ! Knox County, "abundant in Big Jello- 
way creek," Parker, Williamson and Osburn, 1898 ; Ohio river 
at Ironton, Sandusky Bay, Lake Erie at Sandusky, Ashtabula 
creek, Wabash river at Celina, Stillwater creek at Dayton, North 
Fork of Licking river at Newark, R. C. Osburn, 1899 ; Cuyahoga 
river at Hawkins, Grand river at Painesville, Chagrin river at 
Willoughby, Wheeling creek at Bridgeport, Ohio river and 
McMahon creek at Bellaire, Licking reservoir, R. C. Osburn, 
1900. 

Notropis arge (Cope). 

Head 4^; depth 6; eye 1% to 3. D. 8; A. 11; scales 5-39-3. Close to. 
N. atherinoides, but the eye very large, longer than snout; lateral line 
nearly straight, head large, the snout not very blunt; mouth large, chin pro- 
jecting. Color pale-greenish olive; a dark vertebral line; belly and sides 
pale; a broad, silvery lateral band bounded by a dark line. Length $% 
inches. "Apparently varying into N. atherinoides, hence of doubtful 
validity." 

This species has been taken at such points in the state as to 
indicate a wnde distribution, but it is not generally common. 
Hamilton County, "common in east fork of Mill creek," Hen- 
shall, 1888 ; Lorain County, " in company with N. atherinoides, 
but not nearly as common," McCormick, 1892 ; Maumee river 
at Grand Rapids, St. Joseph river at Edgerton, Tiffin river at 
Brunersburg, scarce, Kirsch, 1893 I Cuyahoga river at Hawkins, 
rare, R. C. Osburn, June 25, 1900. 



58 THE FISHES OF OHIO. 



Notropis rubrifrons (Cope). 

Head 4 to 5' depth 4% to 5^. D. 8; A. 10; scales 5 or 6-39 or 40-3, 15; 

to 17 before dorsal (Ohio specimens run a little higher, some having as high 

as 20 before the dorsal); teeth 2, 4-4, 2. Body moderately elongate, back 

scarcely elevated, head conic and rather pointed. Eye moderate, usually 

shorter than snout. Resembling JV. atherinoides, from which it can be 

readily told, in Ohio specimens at least, by the position of the dorsal fin, 

which is inserted nearer to base of caudal than to point of snout. Above 

clear olive, each scale dark-edged; sides and under parts silvery; a narrow, 

coppery lateral band in life, overlying dark pigment; a narrow vertebral 

line; a row of black dots on either side of anal fin. Males in spring with 

head and anterior parts reddish, and sometimes the bases of dorsal, ventral 

and pectoral fins red. Length 2}4 inches. 

1 

A common and widely distributed species, found in company 
with JV. atherinoides, but much more common. Kirseh and 
McCormick record it under the name N. diledus (Girard), but 
N. dilectus, as now restricted, is found farther southwest, so I 
include these records under N. rubrifrons. Possibly the two may 
not be distinct. Given by Jordan as abundant in southern Ohio ; 
Hamilton County, "common in east fork of Mill creek," Hen- 
shall, 1888; Lorain County, "common in the lake and lower 
parts of all streams entering it," McCormick, 1892 ; St. Joseph 
river at Edgerton, Blanchard river at Findlay, Beaver creek at 
Grand Rapids, "common at these places," Kirseh, 1893; 
Franklin County, "all larger streams with N. atherinoides, 
abundant where found," Williamson and Osburn, 1897 ; Knox 
County, Big Jelloway creek and several of its tributaries, occa- 
sionally observed in large schools over clear, gravelly places in 
ripples, females with ripe eggs on May 24, Parker, Williamson 
and Osburn, 1898 ; Ohio river at Ironton, Huron river at Milan, 
Sandusky Bay, Lake Erie at Sandusky, Ashtabula creek, Wabash 
river at Celina, Stillwater and Wolf creeks at Dayton, North Fork 
of Licking river at Newark, R. C. Osburn, 1899 ;. Niggermill 
Run and Mahoning river, E. B. Williamson, 1900 ; Cuyahoga 
river at Kent and Hawkins, Grand river at Painesville, Chagrin 
river at Willoughby, Wheeling creek at Bridgeport, Ohio river 
and McMahon's Run at Bellaire, outlet of Licking reservoir,. 
R. C. Osburn, 1900. 



cyprinidjE. 59 



Notropis umbratilis lythrurus (Jordan). Rkdfin. 

D. 7; A. 11; teeth 2, 4-4, 2; scales 9-45-3, crowded anteriorly. Head 
pointed, about 4 in length; body moderately elongated, compressed, depth 
4 to 5. Eye 2> l A- Color bright steel-blue above, pale below. Dorsal fin 
with a conspicuous black spot at base in front. Breeding males have the 
lower fins bright red. Females and young paler. Length 3 inches. 

An exceedingly handsome species, especially during the 
breeding season. Widely distributed and generally common. 
Recorded for the state by Kirtland as Semotilus diplema. Jordan 
gives it under the name Lythrurus diplaemius as "abundant 
throughout the state, especially in the southern part " ; Henshall, 
Kirsch and McCormick record it under the name N. ardens ; 
"abundant in all streams examined," in Hamilton County, 
Henshall, 1888 ; " found at all points explored in Maumee river 
system in Ohio except Maumee river at Cecil and Toledo, St. 
Joseph river at Edgerton and St. Mary's river at Rockford, 
Kirsch, 1893; Lorain County, "not very common, Black river 
and Vermillion river near Klipton," McCormick, 1892; Franklin 
County, " all streams but the smallest, abundant," June 15 given 
as a breeding date, Williamson and Osburn, 1897 ; Ice creek at. 
Ironton, Huron river at Milan, Ashtabula creek at Ashtabula, 
Wabash river at Celina, Stillwater and Wolf creeks at Daj-ton, 
North Fork of Licking river at Newark ; exceedingly abundant in 
a small tributary of Ashtabula creek, in compan}^ with Abramis 
crysoleucas, R. C. Osburn, 1899 ; Niggermill Run at Salem, E. B. 
Williamson, 1900 ; Breakneck creek near Kent, Grand river at 
Painesville, Chagrin river at Willoughby, Wheeling creek at 
Bridgeport, Ohio river and McMahon creek at Bellaire, R. C. 
Osburn, 1900. 

Genus: Ericymba. 

Ericymba buccata (Cope). Silvery-jawed Minnow. 

Head 5^ to 4; depth 4^ to 5; eye 4 to 4^. D. 8; A. 7; scales 4 or 5- 
34-3, about 15 in front of dorsal; teeth 1, 4-4, 1 or 1, 4-4, o, the inner slender 
and without grinding surface. Body rather elongate, little compressed, back 
not elevated. Head long, depressed above, with broad and prominent 
muzzle. Mouth small, horizontal, sub-inferior, lower jaw the shorter. 
Interopercle, suborbital and dentary bones containing mucous cavities,. 



'6o THE FISHES OF OHIO. 

which are visible externally. Color olivaceous above, pale and silvery on 
sides and below; a dark vertebral line and sometimes an indistinct, dark 
lateral band. Fins all plain. Length 3 to 5 inches. 

Distributed throughout the state, a very common species, less 
abundant in the lake than in the Ohio river drainage. ' ' Abund- 
ant in most streams tributary to the Ohio," Jordan's Report ; 
Hamilton County, ''abundant in Little Miami river and tribu- 
taries," Henshall, 1888 ; Lorain County, ".taken once in Black 
river," McCormick, 1892 ; the Maumee river system in Ohio 
except at the following places : Maumee river at Cecil, Tiffin 
river at West Unity and Brunersburg, Auglaize river at Wapa- 
koneta and Lost creek at Lima, Kirsch, 1893 ! Franklin County, 
every stream, generally abundant, June 15 given as a breeding 
date, Williamson and Osburn, 1897 J Big Jelloway creek system, 
Knox County, "taken in even- stream, abundant," Parker, 
Williamson and Osburn, 1898 ; Ohio river and Ice creek at 
Ironton, Huron river at Milan, Wabash river at Celina, Stillwater 
and Wolf creeks at Dayton, North Fork of Licking river at 
Newark, R. C. Osburn, 1899 ; Niggermill Run and Mahoning 
river, E. B. Williamson, 1900 ; Cuyahoga river at Hawkins, 
Chippewa lake, Grand river at Painesville, Chagrin river at 
Willoughby, Wheeling creek at Bridgeport, Ohio river and 
McMahon's Run at Bellaire, Licking reservoir, R. C. Osburn, 
1900. 

Genus: Rhinichthys. 
Key to Species. 

A. Snout long aud prominent, projecting much beyond the mouth, barbel evident, no 
distinct, black lateral band. — cataractce. 

AA. Snout shorter, little projecting, barbel small, but always present; a distinct, black 
lateral baud. — at> onasus. 

Rhinichthys cataractae (Cuvier and Valenciennes). 
Long-nosed Dace. 

Head 4; depth 5; eye 2 in snout, 5 in head. D. 8; A. 7; scales small, 
14-65-8; teeth 2, 4-4, 2. Resembling R. atronasus, from which it is dis- 
tinguished by the longer head, by the prominent overhanging muzzle, much 
longer than in a/rouastis, by the longer barbels and by the absence of a dis- 
tinct, dark lateral band. Color dark-brownish olive above, sometimes 
slightly mottled; paler below; a dark spot on opercle, but no distinct band 
through eye or along side. Length 5 inches. 



CYPRINID^E. 6r 

Apparently a rare species in Ohio. Dr. Jordan (Ohio Rept.) 
says : ' ' It is found in the tributaries of Lake Erie and even in 
the lake itself. It also occurs in the southeastern part of the 
state. ' ' Since then it has not been noticed by any other collector, 
and the writer has taken it but once, a single specimen from a 
small tributary of the Grand river near Painesville, August 2, 
1900. 

Rhinichthys atronasus (Mitchill). Black-nosed Dace. 

Head 4; depth 4^; eye i l / 2 in snout, 4>£ in head. D. 7 or 8; A. 7; 
scales 10-65-6; teeth 2, 4-4, 2. Body moderately elongate, little compressed. 
Head moderate, rather broad and flattish above; snout moderate; mouth 
horizontal, lower jaw included; barbels well marked in all Ohio specimens 
examined. Color above dark -yellowish olive, much blotched with black ; a 
black lateral band passing forward through eye to snout; breeding males 
have the lateral band and the lower fins bright orange or crimson. All color 
markings less evident in females and young, but the lateral, dark band 
always present. 

Distributed over the state and generally common or even 
abundant in suitable localities. It is essentially a " brook " 
species, being rarely found in larger streams, but swarming in 
clear, cold spring runs, in company with Chrosotmis erythrogaster. 
Hamilton County, " common in all the streams," Henshall, 1888 ; 
Lorain County, " Spring brook and Chaiice creek, not common," 
McCormick, 1892; Maumee river system, "several from Lost 
creek near Cecil, by Prof. Meek, found nowhere else " (in Ohio), 
Kirsch, 1893 ; Franklin County, Grant's Run and Plum Run, 
common, Williamson and Osburn, 1897 5 Knox County, Little 
Jelloway creek, Parker's Run, Joe Sapp Run and Shadley Run, 
tributaries of Big Jelloway creek, common or abundant, May 24 
given as a breeding date, Parker, Williamson and Osburn, 1898 ; 
Ohio river at Ironton, Huron river at Milan, Wabash river at 
Celina, Wolf creek at Dayton, North Fork of Licking river at 
Newark, in all of these cases the species has been taken in small 
nameless tributaries rather than in the main stream, with the 
exception of Wolf creek and the Ohio river, R. C. Osburn, 1899 > 
Cuyahoga river at Kent and Hawkins, and Breakneck creek near 
Kent, R. C. Osburn, 1900. 



62 THE FISHES OF OHIO. 



Genus: Hybopsis. 
Key to Species. 

A. Mouth inferior, horizontal, color silvery. 
B. Teeth one-rowed, 4-4. 

C. Eye 3^ in head; no plumbeous blotches along lateral line.— hyostomus. 
CC. Eye very large, 2%\ an interrupted plumbeous lateral band.— dissimilis. 

BB. Teeth two-rowed, 1, 4-4, 1, or 1, 4-4, o. 

D. Sides with a dusky lateral band. — amb/ops. 
DD. Sides silvery, no lateral band.— storerianus. 

AA. Mouth large, nearly terminal; eye small; not silvery.— kentuckiensis. 

Hybopsis hyostomus (Gilbert). 

Head 4; depth 5^; eye $%. D. 8; A. 8; scales in lateral line 37, 13 
before dorsal. Body and head very slender; snout long, acute, projecting 
beyond mouth for half its length; mouth short, wide, inferior; barbels long. 
Color silvery, everywhere dusted with fine, dark specks. Length 2^ inches. 

Very rare in the state, and, as far as my knowledge goes, 
confined to the Ohio river. Dr. Heushall recorded it first from 
the Ohio river at Raccoon Island, 1889, and the writer has taken 
it twice in the Ohio, at Iron ton, May 31, 1899, an d at Bellaire, 
August 31, 1900. 

Hybopsis dissimilis (Kirtland). Spotted Shiner. 

Head 4^; depth 5. D. 8; A. 7; teeth 4-4; scales 6-40 to 47-5, about 20 
in front of dorsal. Body long and slender, little compressed, with long 
caudal peduncle. Head long, flatfish above; snout somewhat bluntly 
decurved, a little projecting; mouth small, horizontal, lower jaw included; 
barbel smaller than in H. amblops; eye about 3 in head, somewhat directed 
upward. Color above dusky or olivaceous, somewhat mottled; sides silvery, 
with a bluish lateral band, which is sometimes widened into several blackish 
blotches. In full coloration, one of the most striking of our Minnows. 

This species has been taken in a number of localities in Ohio, 
and in both the lake and Ohio river drainage, but is nowhere com- 
mon. Recorded by Kirtland for the Mahoning river and Lake 
Erie near Cleveland; Hamilton County, "rather common in 
Little Miami river and O'Bannon creek," Henshall, 1888 ; Frank- 
lin County, " Big Walnut creek, rare," Williamson and Osburn, 
1897 ; Stillwater creek near Dayton, rare, R. C. Osburn, 1899 ; 
Cuyahoga river at Hawkins, R. C. Osburn, 1900. 



CYPRINID^E. 63 



Hybopsis amblops (Rafinesque). Silver Chub. 

Head 4; depth 4^ to 5; eye 3. D. 8; A. 7 or 8; scales 5-38-4, about 14 
before dorsal; teeth 1, 4-4, 1. Body rather slender, little compressed, rather 
heavy anteriorly. Head large, flattened and broad above; mouth subinferior, 
horizontal; barbel evident. Lateral line somewhat decurved. Color above 
clear translucent green, scales dark-edged; sides with a broad, silvery lateral 
band, overlying dark pigment, which sometimes appears as a dark lateral 
band; a dark band through eye around snout. Fins all plain. Length 
about 3 inches. 

Common or abundant throughout the state, found in nearly 
all streams, but not taken in lakes. Recorded by Kirtland. 
Given by Jordan as abundant in tributaries of the Ohio ; Hamil- 
ton County, " common in Little Miami river," Henshall, 1888 ; 
Lorain County, " common in some of the streams," McCormick, 
1892; Maumee river system, "all the smaller tributaries," 
Kirsch, 1893 ; Franklin County, common in all but the smallest 
streams, Williamson and. Osburn, 1897 J Big Jelloway creek, 
Knox County, abundant, Parker, Williamson and Osburn, 1898 ; 
Ohio river at Ironton, John's creek at Waterloo, Huron river at 
Milan, Ashtabula creek at Ashtabula, Wabash river at Celina, 
Stillwater and Wolf creeks near Dayton, North Fork of Licking 
river near Newark, R. C. Osburn, 1899 ; Cuyahoga river at 
Hawkins, Grand river at Painesville, Chagrin river at Wil- 
loughby, Wheeling creek at Bridgeport, Ohio river and McMa- 
hon's creek at Bellaire, R. C. Osburn, 1900. 

Hybopsis storerianus (Kirtland). 

Head 4^; depth 4; eye 3, equal to snout. D. 8; A. 8; scales 5-42-4. 
Body elongate, somewhat compressed, the back somewhat elevated. Head 
short, compressed; preorbital bone large and silvery; mouth horizontal, 
lower jaw included; barbels conspicuous. Lateral line somewhat decurved. 
Dorsal inserted over ventrals, ventrals not reaching vent, caudal long, deeply 
forked. The teeth are said to be usually 1, 4-4, o, but all Ohio specimens 
examined have the teeth 1, 4-4, 1. Translucent greenish above, elsewdiere 
bright silvery, sides with a slight plumbeous lateral band, no caudal spot 
Length 5 to 10 inches. 

Apparently not well distributed over the state, though occur- 
ring in both the Lake Erie and the Ohio river drainage. Lake 
Erie, Kirtland; "abundant in Lake Erie," Jordan; Hamilton 



64 CYPRINID^S. 

County, "common in Little Miami river and Clough creek, 1 ' 
Henshall, 1888 ; Lorain County, Beaver creek and Lake Erie, 
McCormick, 1892 ; Lake Erie near Sandusky, R. C. Osburn, 
1900. Dead ones are frequently thrown upon the beach by the 
waves at Sandusky ; not noticed in Sandusky Bay. 

Hybopsis kentukiensis (Rafinesque). Horny-head; 
River Chub ; Jerker ; Indian Chub. 

Head 3^ to 4; depth 4 to 4% ; eye 5%. D. 8; A. 7 or. 8; scales 6-41-5, 
about 18 before dorsal; teeth 1, 4-4, 1 or 1, 4-4, o, sometimes 4-4, in all Ohio 
specimens examined they are 1, 4-4, 1. Body rather robust, little elevated, 
little compressed. Head large, broadly rounded above; snout conical, blunt- 
ish; mouth large, nearly terminal; barbel evident. Dorsal inserted slightly 
behind ventrals. Color dusky or bluish or greenish olive above, sometimes 
with brassy luster, pale but not silvery below; sometimes with a clear, grass 
green lateral band in life; fins all plain, tinged with dull orange. Breeding 
males have the belly tinged with rosy, and a crimson spot on side of head 
behind eye, and have the top of the head swollen into a crest which is cov- 
ered with tubercles. Young with dark caudal spot. Length 6 to 9 inches. 

Well distributed over the state and generally common. Re- 
corded by Kirtland. "Every stream in the state of Ohio," 
Jordan; Hamilton County, "Little Miami river," Henshall, 
1888; Lorain Count} 7 , "very common in larger streams," 
McCormick, 1892; Maumee river system in Ohio, " every point 
in every stream examined," Kirsch, 1893 ; Franklin County, 
common in larger streams, July 16 given as breeding date, Will- 
iamson and Osburn, 1897 ; Big Jelloway creek system, Knox 
Count}', abundant, May 23 noted as a breeding date, Parker, 
Williamson and Osburn, 1898 , Ohio river at Iron ton. Huron 
river at Milan, Ashtabula creek at Ashtabula, Wabash river at 
Celina, Stillwater and Wolf creeks at Dayton, North Fork of 
Licking River at Newark, R. C. Osburn, 1899; Cuyahoga river 
at Kent and Hawkins, Grand river at Painesville, Chagrin river 
at Willoughby, Wheeling creek at Bridgeport, Ohio river at 
Bellaire, R. C. Osburn, 1900. 

Genus : Exoglossum. 
Exoglossum maxillingua (Le Sueur). Cut-lips; Nigger Chub. 

Head 4; depth 4^. D. 8; A. 7; scales 8-53-5; teeth 1, 4-4, 1. Body 
rather stout, little compressed. Head broad and flattish above, w r ith tumid 
cheeks. Mouth peculiar, the mandible being contracted and incurved, its 



ANGUILLIM. 65 

outline 3-lobed; this appearance is due to the fact that the dentary bones lie 
close together, parallel, and are united throughout their length, instead of 
forming an arch as in all other Cyprinidce ; lower lip represented by a broad, 
fleshy lobe on either side of the mandible. Color olivaceous, smoky or dark 
above; a blackish bar behind opercle, and a dusky shade at base of caudal 
in young. Fins all plain. Length 6 inches. 

Rare in Ohio. Six specimens were taken by the writer in 
Stillwater creek near Dayton, Aug. 15, 1899. The range of the 
species is to the eastward. West of the Alleghenies it has here- 
tofore been known only from the Kanawha river, West Virginia. 

Order : APODES. 

Sud- Order: Enchelvcephali. 

Family : Anguillid^.. 

Genus : Anguiixa. 

Anguilla chrysypa Rafinesque. American Eee ; 
Freshwater Eee. 

Body elongate, compressed behind; appearing scaleless, but covered 
with fine, imbedded scales. Head long, conical, moderately pointed. 
Dorsal and anal fins confluent with caudal. Color brown, often tinged with 
yellowish; paler below, the color quite variable. Length 4 or 5 feet. 

The Eel appears to be nowhere very common in Ohio, but is 
widely distributed throughout the state, and probably occurs in 
every lake, reservoir and large stream. Rafinesque mentions its 
occurrence in the Ohio " as far as Pittsburg ;" Kirtland records 
it for the Ohio river drainage ; Lake Erie and Ohio river, Hen- 
shall, 1889 ; Lorain County, " occasionally taken in the pounds," 
McCormick, 1892; Maumee river at Defiance, "said to inhabit 
all waters of the Maumee basin, "'Kirsch, 1893 I Franklin County, 
•observed in Big Walnut creek, reported hx fishermen as "not 
rare," Williamson and Osburn, 1897 ; Pippin lake and Chippewa 
lake, R. C. Osburn, 1900. I have seen specimens taken in Lick- 
ing reservoir, Licking river and North Fork of Licking river. 
According to Kirtland the Eel did not formerly inhabit the Lake 
Erie drainage, but if not, it has found its way there through the 
•canals. 



66 THE FISHES OF OHIO. 

Order: ISOSPONDYU. 

Family: Hiodontid.E. 

Genus: Hiodon. 

Key to Species. 

A. Bell}' in front of ventrals carinated; dorsal with 9 developed rays.— alosoidrs. 

AA. Belly in front of ventrals not carinated; dorsal of n or 12 developed rays.— tergisus. 

Hiodon alosoides (Rafinesque). 

Head 4^; depth 3^; eye 3^. D. 9; A. 32; scales 6-56-7. Body closely 
compressed, becoming deep in the adult, the ventral edge everywhere earin- 
ated. Maxillary reaching middle of eye. Caudal peduncle rather stouter 
than in H. tergisus, and the fin not so deeply forked; also, the pectorals are 
longer and the ventrals shorter than in H. tergisus. Color bluish, sides 
silvery, with golden luster. Length 12 inches. 

Rare in Ohio, the range of the species being farther to the 
west. A single specimen, taken in a fisherman's net in the Ohio 
river, was recorded by Henshall for Hamilton County, 1888. 

Hiodon tergisus Le Sueur. Moon Eye ; Toothed Herring. 

Head 4^; depth 3; eye 3. D. 12; A. 28; scales 5-55-7. Body oblong, 
moderately compressed. Eye large, the maxillary barely reaching its mid- 
dle. Pectoral fins not reaching ventrals, the latter just short of vent. Belly 
somewhat carinated behind ventrals only. Color brilliantly silvery, olive- 
shaded above. Length 12 inches. 

This species is confined to Lake Erie and the Ohio river, and 
the lower courses of their larger tributaries, but it is common 
where found. Rafinesque made four species of it, and reported 
two of them for the Ohio as far as Pittsburg. Three of these 
nominal species, H. clodahis, H. t vernalis and H. tergisus, were 
recognized by Kirtland in his 1838 report, but he afterward 
dropped all but H. tergisus. " Common in the Ohio," Henshall, 
1888; Lorain County, "common in the lake, ascending the 
streams sometimes," McCormick, 1892 ; " below the dams in the 
Maumee river at Defiance and Grand Rapids, at both places they 
were very abundant," Kirsch, 1893 ; Ohio river at Bellaire, R. C 
Osburn, 1900. 



dorosomim: — clupeim. 67 

Family: DorosomiM. 

Genus: DoROSOMA. 

Dorosoma cepedianum (Le Sueur). Gizzard Shad. 

Head 4'/; depth 2 l / 2 ; eye 4 l / 2 . D. 12, its last ray prolonged and filiform,, 
about as long as head; scales 56-23. Body deep, compressed, the back ele- 
vated in adult; belly compressed to an edge, serrated and covered by scutes, 
17 in front of vent, 12 behind. Meuth small, inferior, no teeth. An adipose 
eyelid. No lateral line. Stomach short, muscular, like the gizzard of a 
fowl. Caudal fin widely forked, lower lobe the longer. Color silvery-bluish 
above; young with a round, dark spot at shoulder; tips of ventrals and edge 
of anal often dusky. Length 15 inches. 

This handsome, worthless species is now well distributed over 
the state in the lake and larger streams, although it is said that 
previous to the opening of the canals it was not found in the 
lake drainage. The form resident in the Mississippi valley is 
known as var. heturum. Given by Kirtland as Chatoessus ellip- 
tiens. Ohio river, Lake Erie and Licking reservoir, Jordan's 
Report; Hamilton County, " very common in the Ohio river," 
Henshall, 1888 ; Lorain County, " quite common in the lake ami 
ascending the rivers," McCormick, 1892 ; Maumee river at 
Defiance and Grand Rapids, St. Mary's river at St. Mary's and 
Rockford, Tiffin river at Brunersburg, Auglaize river at Clover- 
dale, Oakwood and Defiance, Hoaglin creek near Oakland and 
Gordon creek near Cecil, Kirsch, 1893 \ abundant in St. Mary's 
reservoir and in the wasteway of the St. Mary's reservoir into the 
headwaters of the Wabash river at Celina, R. C. Osburn, 1899 ; 
Chippewa lake, Ohio river at Bellaire and Licking reservoir, very 
abundant at the last place, R. C. Osburn, 1900. 

Family: ClupEiM. 

Genus: Pomolobus. 

Pomolobus chrysochloris Rafinesque. Skipjack ; Buje Herring. 

Head 3^; depth 3^; eye shorter than snout, large, well covered by an 
adipose eyelid, 43^ in head. D. 16, its posterior ray not prolonged; A. 18; 
about 52 scales in lateral line. Body elliptical, much compressed; belly 
compressed to an edge which is covered with scutes, 20 before vent, 13, 



68 THE FISHKS OF OHIO. 

behind. Head slender and pointed; lower jaw strongly projecting; upper 
jaw emarginate. Color, brilliant blue above, sides silvery with golden 
reflections; no dark spot behind opercle. Length 15 inches. 

This is a deep water species, common in the Ohio river, and 
it has made its way through the canals into Lake Erie, where it 
is now said to be common. Ohio river, " seldom as far as Pitts- 
burg," Rafinesque; "very rare, two specimens seen in Cincin- 
nati market," Kirtland, 1838; Hamilton County, " abundant in 
Ohio river," Henshall, 1888. 

Family: Salmonid^. 

Key to Genera. 

A. Mouth not deeply cleft; dentition feeble or incomplete, scales large. 

B. Lower jaw short and more or less included, cleft of mouth short. — 

COREGONUS. 

BB. I,ower jaw long, projecting beyond upper, cleft of mouth rather long. — 

Argvrosomus. 
A.A. Mouth deepU' cleft; dentition strong and complete, scales small. 

C Vomer with raised crest, which is armed with strong teeth; hyoid bone with a 

broad band of strong teeth; no bright colors. — Cristi vomer. 

CC Vomer without raised crest; hyoid with weak teeth or none; spotted with 
red.— Salvelinus. 

Genus: Coregonus. 
Coregonus clupeiformis (Mitchill). Common WhiTEFish. 

Head 5; depth 3 to 4; eye 4 to 5. D, 11; A. 11; scales 8-74 to 85-9. 
Body oblong, compressed, always elevated, especially so in adult. Head 
comparatively small and short; the snout obliquely truncated. Gill rakers 
numerous, long and slender. Color olivaceous above; sides white, but not 
silvery; lower fins sometimes dusky. Length 2 feet or more. 

In Ohio the Whitefish is found onl3 T in Lake Erie, where it 
occurs in great numbers. It does not ascend streams. Recorded 
first \>y Kirtland. " The most important fish of Ohio, both as to 
quantity taken and quality as food," Jordan's Report; L. Erie, 
Henshall, 1889; "common in the lake," McCormick, 1892; 
" west end of Lake Erie," Kirsch, 1893. Great quantities from 
various parts of the lake are brought into the fish houses at San- 
dusky. 



salmonid^. 69 



Gams: Argyrosomus. 

Key to Species. 

A. Lower jaw projecting; depth in length 414. — artcdt . 

AA. Jaws about equal; depth in length 3 to 3^ .— iidlibee. 

Argyrosomus artedi (Le Sueur). Cisco ; Lake Herring. 

Head 4^; depth 4 l A; eye 4 to \ x/ z . D. 10; A. 12; scales 8-75 to 90-7. 
Body elongate, compressed, not elevated. Head compressed, rather long; 
distance from occiput to snout usually a little less than half the distance 
from occiput to insertion of dorsal fin. Dorsal fin high, its rays rapidly 
shortened. Bluish black or greenish above; sides silvery, with dark specks; 
fins mostly pale, the lower dusky-tinged. Length 1 foot. 

In Ohio taken only in Lake Erie, where it is very abundant. 
Recorded by Kirtland, Jordan and Henshall. Lorain Co., " very 
abundant, sometimes filling the pound nets almost solid with 
fish," McCormick, 1892; " west end of Lake Erie," Kirsch, 1893. 
Brought into Sandusky fish houses in enormous numbers. 

Argyrosomus tullibee (Richardson). Tueubee ; Mongrel 
Whitefish. 
Head 4 to 4^; depth 3 to 35; eye 4}4, as long as snout. D. 11 or 12; 
A. 11; scales 8 or 9-67 to 74-8. Body short, deep, compressed, shad-like, 
dorsal and ventral curves similar. Head conic, compressed; distance from 
occiput to tip of snout half the distance from occiput to insertion of D. 
Color bluish above; sides white, punctate with fine dots; each scale with a 
silvery area, these forming a series of distinct longitudinal stripes. Length 
18 inches. 

I have seen but one record of this species in Ohio, as follows: 
' ' I once received a photograph of a Tullibee from Dr. E. Ster- 
ling, of Cleveland. The specimen had been taken in Lake Erie," 
Jordan's Report. 

Genus: Cristivoaier. 

Cristivomer namaycush (Walbaum). Mackinaw Trout ; 
Great Lake Trout ; Namaycush. 
Head4X; depth 4; eye large, 4%.. D. 11; A. 11; lateral line 185 to 205. 
Body elongate. Head very long and pointed, its upper surface flattened. 
Mouth very large, the maxillary extending much beyond eye; teeth strong. 
Caudal fin well forked; adipose fin small. General color dark gray, varying 
from pale to nearly black; everywhere with rounded, paler spots, which are 
often reddish tinged; dorsal and caudal reticulate with darker. Length 3 
feet. 



70 THE FISHKS OF OHIO. 

In Ohio taken only in Lake Erie, does not ascend streams. 
Kirtland records it for Lake Erie, " a few stragglers are taken." 
Jordan and Henshall also record it. McCormick says of its occur- 
rence in Lorain County, "very rare, it is almost unknown to the 
fishermen here, though common in the eastern part of the lake." 

Genus: Salvelinus. 

Salvelinus fontinalis (Mitchill) . Speckled Trout ; Brook Trout. 

Head \]/ z \ depth \y 2 . D. 10; A. 9; scales 37-230-30. Body oblong, 
moderately compressed, not much elevated. Head large, but not very long, 
the snout bluntish; mouth large, the maxillary reaching more or less beyond 
eye; eye large. Color above more or less mottled with dark olive or black', 
sides in life with many red spots; dorsal and caudal mottled or barred with 
dark; belly in males often more or less red. 

The Brook Trout now probably occurs in but one stream in 
the state, Castalia creek, near Sandusky. In 1838 Kirtland 
recorded the species as found " in only two streams, a small creek 
in Ashtabula County, and a branch of the Chagrin river in 
Geauga County." In 1889 Henshall recorded it for Castalia 
creek. It still occurs there in numbers under the protection of a 
fishing club, which, I understand, introduces young fry to keep 
up the supply. 

Order: HAPLOMI. 

Family: Um bridge. 

Genus: Umbra. 

Umbra limi (Kirtland). Mud Minnow. 

Head 33^; depth 4^. D. 14; A. S; scales 35-15, soft and leathery; no 
lateral line. Bod}- oblong, compressed. Head large, shortish, cheeks and 
opercles and top of head forward to between the eyes, covered with scales. 
Caudal fin conspicuously rounded. Color dull olive green, with a dark 
dorsal band and about 14 light vertical bars, less distinct in young. A dark 
bar at base of caudal. Length ^y 2 inches. 

This species is rare in the Ohio river drainage, but is reported 
as very common in the northern part of the state. Recorded for 
streams of northern Ohio by Kirtland ; abundant in the northern 
part of Ohio, Jordan's Report; Lorain County, " very common 
in sloughs and bayous," McCormick, 1892 ; Fish creek at Edger- 



Lrcnn.K. 71 

ton, Lost and Gordon creeks near Cecil, " very common on soft 
muddy bottom," Kirsch, 1893 ; a single specimen was taken 
April 3, 1897, m a small tributary of the Olentangy river at 
Columbus by Mr. E. B. Williamson and the writer ; Niggermill 
Run at Salem, E. B. Williamson, 1900 ; abundant in the " Black 
Channel" in Sandusky Bay, R. C. Osburn, 1900. 

Family: L,UCIID^. 

Genus: Lucius. 

Key to Species. 

A. Opercles entirely scaled, scales in lateral line 105.— vermiculatus. 

AA. Opercles with the lower half bare of scales. 

B. Cheeks entirely scaled, scales in lateral line about 123.— Indus. 

BB. Cheeks with the lower half bare of scales, scales in lateral line about 150. — 

masquinongy. 

Lucius vermiculatus (Le Sueur). Little Pickerel ; Grass Pike. 

Head long, yX- to 2>H i n length of body; depth 5 to 6; eye 6 in head, 
large. D. 11 or 12; A. 11 or 12; scales 105. Body elongate, somewhat com- 
pressed. Opercles and cheeks entirely covered with scales. Color greenish 
or grayish olive, everywhere reticulated with irregular, light markings; the 
color extremely variable. Length about a foot. 

The Little Pickerel, or " Grass Pike," as it is sometimes 
called, is common throughout the state in suitable localities. Its 
favorite haunt is the weed} 7 pond or backwater or overflow pool 
of some stream, and in such places it is sometimes very abund- 
ant. Jordan in his Ohio Report gives it as more abundant in the 
Ohio river drainage than in that of the lake. ' ' Lake Erie and 
Maiimee river," Henshall, 1889; Lorain County, "common," 
McCormick, 1892 ; "common throughout the Maumee basin, all 
waters examined (in Ohio) except Hoaglin creek," Kirsch, 1893 5 
Franklin County, "of general distribution, abundant in Hell 
Branch," Williamson and Osburn, 1897 5 John's creek at Water- 
loo, Huron river at Milan, Ashtabula creek at Ashtabula, R. C. 
Osburn, 1899; Sandusky Bay, Breakneck creek near Kent. Lick- 
ing reservoir, R. C. Osburn, 1900. 

Lucius lucius (Linnaeus). Pickerel ; Pike. 

Head 3^; depth 5; eye 6^* in head. Developed rays of dorsal 16 or 17, 
of anal 13 or 14; scales 123. Body moderately elongate, back little elevated. 
Head rather long. Cheeks scaly; the lower half of opercle bare. Color 



72 . THE FISHES OF OHIO. 

bluish or greenish gray, with many whitish or yellowish spots arranged' 
somewhat in rows. Dorsal, anal and caudal fins with roundish or oblong,, 
black spots. Length 4 feet. 

The Pickerel is said to have been very abundant at one time 
in all the streams flowing into Lake Erie and somewhat less 
common in the Ohio river drainage. In the latter it has now, as 
far as Ohio is concerned, become quite rare, and in the lake 
drainage, and even in the lake itself, it has noticeably diminished 
in numbers. Kirtland gives it as " common both to the waters 
of the Ohio and the lake." Lake Erie and Sandusky river, 
Henshall, 1889 ; Lorain County, Lake Erie and Black river, 
" of ten killed in the ponds and channels of the snipe ground 
when they are spawning," McCormick, 1892 ; St. Joseph river at 
Edgerton, Tiffin river at West Unit)' and Brunersburg, Auglaize 
river at Cloverdale, Kirsch, 1893 ; Sandusky Bay, R. C. Osburn, 
1899 : Licking reservoir, a single specimen, 1% feet in length. 
R. C. Osburn, 1900. 

Lucius masquinongy (Mitchill). Muskaujjnge. 

Head 3 2 <; depth 6; eye 4 to 6 in snout. D. 17; A. 15; scales 150. Gen- 
eral form of L. lucius; the head proportionately longer. Cheeks and oper- 
cles both naked below. Color dark gray, sides in the typical form, mas- 
quinongy \ with round or squarish, blackish spots of varying size on a ground 
color of grayish silvery; belly white; fins spotted with black. Length 4 to 
8 feet. 

This magnificent Pike is represented in Ohio by two varieties, 
as follows : L. masquinongy var. masquinongy \ the typical form, 
confined to Lake Erie and its tributary rivers, and L. Masqui- 
nongy ohiensis (Kirtland), confined to the Ohio river and its 
tributary streams. The variety ohiensis is separated from the 
typical form by the presence of narrow irregular crossbars, 
formed by the coalescing of spots on the sides. Kirtland records 
the former for Lake Erie and the Ohio canal near Massilon, 
1838, and the latter for the Mahoning river, 1854 ; Ohio river 
and Lake Erie, Henshall, 1889 ; McCormick records the species 
for Lorain County, and states that it is growing rare, being 
seldom taken in the pounds ; Kirsch, in 1893, speaks in the same 
strain of their diminishing numbers in Maumee river and the 
w r est end of Lake Erie. 



pckciliid.*:. 73 

Family: PcEOLlll).*:. 

Genus: Fundulus. 

Key to Species. 

A. No broad, black lateral baud. 

B. Dorsal fin of 12 or 13 rays.— diapkanus. 

BB. Dorsal fin of 7 rays.— dispar. 

AA. A broad, black lateral band, its ed es notched; dorsal fin of 9 rays.— notatus. 

Fundulus diaphanus menona (Jordan and Copeland). 

Head3><; depths. D. 12; A. 10; scales 48-12. Body rather slender, 
not elevated, compressed posteriorly. Head flattened above. Fins rather 
small and low. General color olivaceous, below pale, sides somewhat silvery; 
back always spotted; sides with about 16 distinct, irregular, dark bands, 
these often replaced by the same number of shining, silvery bands narrower 
than the interspaces. Length 3% inches. 

Taken only in the northern part of the state, where in suitable 
places it is common. "Taken once near Lorain, common near 
Huron and Put-in-Bay," McCormick, 1892; "Maumee river at 
Toledo, abundant," Kirsch, 1893; noted commonly by Prof. 
D. S. Kellicott, E. B. Williamson and the writer in Sandusky- 
Bay in 1896, and again by the writer in 1899 an d 1900. 

Fundulus dispar (Agassiz). 

Head $}{; depth 3^. D. 7; A. 9; scales 35-10. Body short and deep,, 
much compressed. Head short and very broad, the distance between the 
eyes above greater than the distance between them below. Snout broadly 
rounded. Dorsal fin much smaller than anal. Color pale olive, bluish in 
life; about 10 longitudinal, wavy, brown stripes along sides formed by the 
dark edges of the scales. Males have these stripes interrupted and have 
about 9 dark crossbars; a black blotch below eye. Length 2)/ z inches. 

Given for Ohio by Jordan (Ohio Rept.), and Jordan and 
Evermann (Bull. 47, U. S. Natl. Mus.) Dr. B. W. Evermann, 
in a recent letter regarding this species, says : "I learned of its 
occurrence in the Celina reservoir through students of mine who 
seined there. No record was published, however." 

Fundulus notatus (Rafinesque). Top Minnow. 

Head 4; depth 4^; eye 3. D. 9; A. 11 or 12; scales 34-11. Body 
slender, compressed posteriorly. Head depressed, rather long, the snout 
somewhat produced; interorbital space half the length of head. Color oliva- 
ceous or brownish olive, with a broad, blackish lateral band from tip of 



74 TH E FISHES OF OHIO. 

snout to caudal, this band usually notched above and below, giving it a 
serrated appearance. A light, translucent spot is conspicuous on the top of 
the head when the fish is swimming at the surface. Length 2 to 2>% inches. 

The Top Swimmer is a common species in suitable localities 
in the Ohio river drainage, but is rather rare in the tributaries of 
the lake. Hamilton County, very abundant in Ross lake, Hen- 
shall, 1888 ; Maumee river at Grand Rapids, St. Mary's river at 
St. Mary's and Rockford, Tiffin river at West Unity and Bruners- 
burg, Auglaize river at Wapakoneta, Cloverdale. Oakwood and 
Defiance, Blanchard river at Ottawa, Hoaglin creek at Ottawa, 
" seemingly scarce at all these points," Kirsch, 1893; Franklin 
County, of general distribution, abundant in places, Williamson 
and Osburn, 1897 ; Wabash river at Celina, Stillwater creek near 
Dayton, very common, R. C. Osburn, 1899. 

Order: HEMIBRANCHII. 

Family : GASTEROSTEID.E. 

Genus: EuCAUA. 

Eucalia inconstans (Kirtland). Brook Stickleback. 

Head 3^; depth 4. D. IV-I, 10; A. I, 10. Body moderately elongate, 
little compressed; caudal peduncle slender, not keeled. Dorsal spines low, 
subequal, 4 or 5 in number in a right line; a cartilaginous ridge along base 
•of fin; ventral spines short and sharp, serrated. Color, males in spring jet 
black, tinged with red anteriorly; females and young, olivaceous, mottled 
and dotted with black. Length 2 Y / 2 inches. 

This species is probably confined to the central and northern 
parts of Ohio. It is said to be abundant in some localities. Kirt- 
land described the species in 1841, from brooks of Trumbull 
County; Jordan gives it as "abundant in many streams in 
northern part of Ohio " ; " Castalia creek " near Sandusky, Hen- 
shall, 1889; L,orain County, " I have found sticklebacks in but 
two places," McCormick, 1892; Mr. E. B. Williamson writes me 
that he has found the species in Niggermill Run at Salem, Col- 
umbiana County, 1899. 



percopsid.i:. 75 

Order .- ACAXTHOPTERI. 

Sub-Order : Sai.moperc.E. 

Family: PERCOPSID^. 

Genus : PERCOPSIS. 

Percopsis guttatus Agassiz. Trout Perch. 

Head 2> l A to 4; depth 4 to 4><. D. II, 9; A. I, 7; scales about 50, strongly 
•ctenoid. Head rather long, slender and conical, mouth subinferior. Body- 
rather slender; caudal peduncle long and slender. A small but distinct 
adipose fin behind dorsal. Color, pale olivaceous on back, colorless and 
somewhat translucent below; about 11 small, dark spots along lateral line, 
and another row of smaller dots between this and mid-dorsal line. Length 
4 to 6 inches. 

Jordan and Evermann (Bull. 47, U. S. Natl. Mus.) in dis- 
cussing the range of this species give it as " rare in streams south 
of Lake Erie. ' ' This statement does not seem to hold good for 
the State of Ohio, for in suitable localities the species is common 
as far as the southern limits of the state, and in some places is 
very abundant. Hamilton County, " abundant in Little Miami 
river below the dam at Loveland," Henshall, 1888 ; Lorain 
Count}', " common in Lake Erie, Black river and Beaver creek," 
McCormick, 1892 ; Franklin Count}', taken in most of the streams 
of the county, abundant in streams west of the Scioto, after 
some hauls in Scioto Big Run the seine contained more of this 
than all the other species combined, Williamson and Osburn, 
l8 97 ; John's creek at Waterloo, Huron river at Milan, common 
at both places, R. C. Osburn, 1899 ; Ohio river at Bellaire, R. C. 
Osburn, 1900. 

Sub- Order: Xenarchi. 

Family: Aphredoderid^E. 

Genus: Aphredoderus. 

Aphredoderus sayanus (Gilliams). Pirate Perch. 

Head 3; depth 3. D. Ill, 11 to IV, 10; A. II, 6; scales 45 to 60. Body 
•oblong, elevated at base of dorsal, compressed behind. Head thick, de- 
pressed; mouth moderate, lower jaw projecting. Lateral line imperfect or 
wanting. The position of the anus is peculiar, being always anterior; it 



76 THE FISHES OF OHIO. 

varies in position with age from just behind the ventrals in the young, to 
below the preopercle in the adult. Color, dark olive, profusely speckled 
with dark points, which may form streaks along the rows of scales; 2 black- 
ish bars at base of caudal. Length 5 inches. The Ohio form is the variety 
i sole pis. 

The Pirate Perch seems to be a rather rare species in Ohio, 
and thus far it has been taken only in Lake Erie and the Maumee 
river system. "Lake Erie," Henshall, 1S89 ; Maumee river 
system, "only two small specimens were taken, one by Prof. 
Meek in Gordon creek near Cecil, and one by us in warm slug- 
gish water in St. Mary's river at Rockford," Kirsch, 1893. 

Sub-Order: PERCESOCES. 
Family: Atherixid.E. 
Genus: Eabidesthes. 

Labidesthes sicculus Cope. Brook Silversides. 

Head 4' + to 4 1 ?; depth 6; eye large, •%,%• D- IV-I, n; A. I, 23; scales 
75. Body very long and slender, compressed. Head long, flattened above; 
snout long, slender and conic; mouth very large, the jaws produced into a 
sort of beak. First dorsal very low, inserted well back; caudal forked. 
Color pale olive green, translucent, dotted above with fine, dark specks; a 
broad, distinct, silvery lateral band, bounded above by a dark line. Length 
$% inches. 

This peculiar and interesting little fish is widely distributed 
over the state and is generally common. Quiet pools of streams 
and shallow waters of lakes on sandy or gravelly bottom are its 
favorite haunts. Hamilton County, " one specimen from Bloody 
Run, common in Ross lake," Henshall, 1888 ; Lorain County, 
" quite common in the lake and in the larger streams below the 
dams," McCormick, 1892 ; " generally distributed in the waters 
of the Maumee basin," Kirsch, 1893 ; Franklin County, generally 
distributed, abundant, Williamson and Osburn, 1897 I Huron 
river at Milan, Sandusky Bay, Wabash river at Celina, Stillwater 
creek near Dayton, very abundant on sandy bottom in shallow 
w r ater in Sandusky Bay, R. C. Osburn, 1899 ; Mahoning river, 
E. B. Williamson, 1900 ; Pippin lake, Chippewa lake, Summit 
lake, Grand river at Painesville, Chagrin river at Willoughby, 
Ohio river at Bellaire, Licking reservoir, R. C. Osburn, 1900. 



KEY TO GKXKRA— CENTRARCHID^E. 77 

Sub-Order: Rhkgnopteri. 

Group: Pkrcoidea. 
Family: Ckntrarchid^E. 

Key to Genera. 

A. Dorsal fin scarcely longer than anal.— Pomoxis. 

AA. Dorsal fin much larger than anal. 

B. Body comparatively short and deep, the depth usually more than = the length. 
C. Tongue and pterygoids with teeth ; mouth large, maxillary reaching past 
middle of eye. 

D. Opercle emarginate behind ; anal spines 6.— Ambloplites. 
DD. Opercle ending in a black, convex process or flap ; anal spines, 3.— 

CH.3CNO BR YTTUS. 

CC. Tongue and pterygoids toothless ; mouth small, maxillary barely reach- 
ing past middle of eye. 

E. Supplemental bone of maxillary perfectly distinct.— Apomotis. 
EE. Supplemental bone of maxillary rudimentary or wanting. 

F. tower pharyngeal bones narrow, the teeth usually sharp, not 

conical.— Lepomis. 

FF. Lower pharyngeals broad and concave, especially in the adult, 
teeth more or less blunt and paved. — Et'pomotis. 

BB. Body comparatively elongate, depth in adult about % the length ; mouth 
large.— Microptertjs. 

Genus: Pomoxis. 
Key to Species. 

A. Dorsal spines 6, occasionally 5, rarely 7 ; profile strongl}' sinuate, anal fin plain. — 

annularis. 
AA. Dorsal spines 7, rarely 8 ; profile not strongly sinuate ; anal tin reticulate with dark 
markings.— sparoides. 

Pomoxis annularis Rafinesque. Crappie ; Lake Erie Bass ; 
Calico Bass. 

Head 3; depth 2}^; eye large, 4. D. V or VI, or sometimes VII, 15; A. 
VI, 18; scales 6-48-14. Body elongate, much compressed. Headlong; the 
profile from snout to dorsal strongly sinuate; mouth very wide. Fins very 
high, but lower than in P. sparoides. Color, silvery olive, mottled with 
dark green, the dark marks chiefly on upper part of body and having a 
tendency to form vertical bars; dorsal and caudal marked with dark green, 
anal nearly plain. A lighter colored fish than P. sparoides. Quite variable. 
Length 12 inches. 

Well distributed over the state in larger streams and lakes, 
common. Recorded for the state by Dr. Kirtland, who gave it 
the name Cichla store?ia. "It occurs in large numbers in the 
Ohio river and its tributaries, rarely taken in Lake Erie," Jor- 
dan's Report; Muskingum river, Ohio river at Raccoon Island, 
Henshall, 1889; Lorain County, common, McCormick, 1892; 



78 THE FISHKS OF OHIO. 

Franklin County, Scioto river, Olentangy river, Big Walnut 
creek, Big Darby creek, abundant, Williamson and Osburn, 1897;: 
Ohio river at Ironton, Huron river at Milan, Wabash river at 
Celina, North Fork of Licking river at Newark, R. C. Osburn, 
1899; Ohio river at Bellaire, Chippewa lake, R. C. Osburn, 1900. 
It is worthy of note that in Chippewa lake, which drains into the 
Ohio river system, this species was found exceedingly abundant, 
but none of the next species, P. sftaroides, were taken, while in 
Summit lake, with very similar surroundings, but draining into 
Lake Erie, only P. spa?vides was taken. These lakes are but a 
short distance apart, the former being near Medina, the latter at 
Akron. 

Pomoxis sparoides iLacepede). Calico Bass ; Grass Bass ; 
Lake Erie Bass ; Crappie ; Bachelor. 

Head 3; depth 2. D. VII or VIII, 15; A. VI, 17 or t8; scales 7-44-12. 
Body less elongate than in P. annularis; the profile less sinuate, the region 
over the eye not being so much depressed. Fins very high, anal higher 
than dorsal, its height 4 or 5 times in length of bod}-. Color silvery olive, 
mottled with olive green or dark, the markings not tending to vertical bars,, 
but to small, irregular groups and covering the whole body. Anal fin 
heavily marked like the other vertical fins, with dark olive markings; a 
dusky opercular spot. Length 12 inches. 

Not so common as the preceding, but widely distributed, and 
occurring throughout the state; perhaps not ascending streams as. 
far as P. annularis. It is said to be more common than P. 
annularis in the lake drainage, while in the Ohio Valley, P. 
a««///rtrw is the more common. "In the Great Lakes in large 
numbers. I have seen but few from the Ohio Valley," Jordan's 
Report; Hamilton County, "common in Ross lake near Elm- 
wood," Henshall, 1888; Lorain County, Lake Erie and lower 
parts of Beaver creek and Black river, McCormick, 1892; Maumee 
river at Defiance and Grand Rapids; St. Joseph river at Edger- 
ton, Fish creek at Edgerton, St. Mary's river at St. Mary's and 
Rockford, Tiffin river at Brunersburg and West Unity, Hoaglin 
creek near Oakland, Kirsch, 1893; Franklin County, Scioto and 
Olentangy rivers, not common, Williamson and Osburn, 1897; 
Ohio river at Ironton, Wabash river at Celina, R. C. Osburn, 
1899; Summit lake, Ohio river at Bellaire, R. C. Osburn, 1900. 






CENTRARCIIID.i:. 79. 

Genus; AmblopuTES. 

Ambloplites rupestris (Rafinesque). Rock Bass; Goggle-kyj; ; 

Red-eye. 

Head 2% ; depth 2 to 2 l / 2 ; eye very large, $%. D. XI, 10 or n; A. VI, 
10; scales 5 to 7-40-12. Body oblong, compressed. Head large, profile 
little depressed above eye; mouth hirge and oblique, lower jaw projecting. 
Preopercle serrate near its angle. Color olive green, tinged more or less 
with brassy yellow, with much dark mottling; each scale with a dark spot 
producing longitudinal rows; a black opercular spot. Soft dorsal, anal and 
caudal with dark mottlings. Length 12 inches. 

A widely distributed and abundant species found in all larger 
streams and lakes. Recorded by Kirtland as common. Abund- 
ant, Jordan's Report; " Lake Erie, Ohio river, near Little Sandy 
river," Henshall, 1889; Lorain County, "common in the larger 
streams, sometimes taken by the pound nets in the lake," McCor- 
mick, 1892; " A common fish at nearly all points where investi- 
gations were made," Maumee river basin, Kirsch, 1893; Frank- 
lin County, nearly every stream, common, Williamson and 
Osbnrn, 1897; Big Jelloway creek, Knox County, not common, 
Parker, Williamson and Osburn, 1898; John's creek at Waterloo,. 
Huron river at Milan, Sandusky Bay, Ashtabula creek, Wabash 
river at Celina, Stillwater and Wolf creeks near Dayton, North 
Fork of Licking river at Newark, R. C. Osburn, 1899; Nigger- 
mill Run and Mahoning river, E. B. Williamson, 1900; Pippin 
lake, Cuyahoga river and Breakneck creek at Kent, R. C. Osburn, 
1900. 

Genus: Ch^enobryttus. 

Chsenobryttus gulosus (Cuvier and Valenciennes). Warmouth. 

Head 2i to 2 2 A > \ depth 2 to 2 l / 2 ; eye 4 to 4%. The general form and 
dentition of Ambloplites, with the convex opercle, 10 dorsal and 3 anal 
spines of Lepomis. Preopercle entire. Head large, snout about equal to 
eye; mouth large, maxillary reaching posterior border of eye, teeth on vomer, 
palatines, pterygoids and tongue. D. X, 9 or 10; A, III, 8 or 9; dorsal spines . 
low. Color dark olive green, clouded with darker, usually with red or blue, 
and brassy; a dark spot on each scale; belly yellowish or brassy. Length 8 
to 10 inches. 

Taken b} T Kirsch in the Maumee basin in Fish creek, at 
Edgerton, and Tiffin river at Brunersburg, " not common," 1893.. 
Not recorded for the state by any other collector. 



8o THE FISHES OF OH TO. 



Genus : Apomotis. 



Apomotis cyanellus (Rafmesque). Green Sunfish ; 
Creek Sunfish ; Little Red-eye. 

Head 3; depth 2><. D. X, 11; A. Ill, 9; scales about 7-48-17, 8 rows 
011 cheek. Body oblong, rather elongate in young, becoming short and deep 
in adults. Mouth large, larger than in Lepomis or Eupomotis, maxillary 
reaching nearly to middle of eye, lower jaw projecting. Gill rakers long 
and stiff. Lower pharyngeal teeth acute; a patch of teeth on basibranchial 
between second and third hypobranchials. Color generally greenish, some- 
times nearly black; vertical fins marked with blue or green, in adults in 
spring the lower fins are very dark and all the fins are edged with silvery; 
dorsal and anal generally with a black spot on the posterior rays. Quite 
variable. Length 7 inches. 

The Green Sunfish is an abundant resident of the streams of 
Ohio, but is rarely found in the lakes. It ascends the streams 
farther than any other species of this family, being found even 
in small brooks and spring runs. Hamilton Count) 7 , "abundant 
in Ross lake and Little Miami river," Henshall, 1888; Lorain 
County, "abundant in the upper part of small streams and in 
small ponds," McCormiek, 1892; Maumee river basin, " taken at 
nearly every point in all the streams that were examined," Kirsch, 
1893; Franklin County, abundant in nearly every stream, Wil- 
liamson and Osburn, 1897; Big Jelloway creek, Knox County, 
not common, Parker, Williamson and Osburn, 1898; Ohio river 
at Ironton, Huron river at Milan, Ashtabula creek, Wabash river 
at Celina, Stillwater and Wolf creeks near Dayton, North Fork 
of Licking river at Newark, R. C. Osburn, 1899; Mahoning river, 
E. B. Williamson, 1900; Breakneck creek near Kent, outlet of 
Licking reservoir, R. C. Osburn, 1900. 



CKNTRARCHID.K. 8 1 



Genus: Lkpomis. 
Key to Species. 

A. Pectoral fins short, obtuse, not reaching beyond front of anal, considerably shorter 

than head.— megalotis. 

AA. Pectoral fins more or less pointed, not much if any shorter than head, and reaching 
to or be3 r ond front of anal. 
B. Opercular flap margined with red, sides with many red spots.— humilis. 

BB. Opercular flap without red margin or spot ; no red spots on sides, a large spot 
on posterior, rays of dorsal and anal fins at base.— pallidum. 

Lepomis megalotis (Rafinesque). Long-eared Sunfish. 

Head (without earflap) 3 in length; depth i 2 / 3 to 2^; eye 3^ to 4. 
D. X, 10 to 12; A. Ill, 8 to 10; scales about 6-38-12, about 5. rows on cheek. 
Body short and deep, compressed; the back very strongly arched in adult, 
the profile very steep. Mouth small, oblique. Gill rakers very short and 
soft. Dorsal spines very low, 3 in head. Pectoral iy$ to \y z in head. 
Opercular flap in adult very broad and long, with a pale blue or red margin 
which may be very broad or almost wanting; the flap much smaller in young. 
Color brilliant blue and orange; above chiefly blue, the belly entirely orange, 
lips blue; cheeks orange, with bright blue stripes; soft parts of vertical fins 
with the rays blue and membranes orange. An extremely variable species. 
Length 8 inches. 

An abundant species in the Ohio river system, but not so 
common in the lake drainage. It occurs both in lakes and 
streams, but to greater extent in the latter. It does not ascend 
streams as far as Apomotis cya?iellus, however. Given by Kirt- 
land as Pomotis nitida. Hamilton County, "abundant in Ross 
lake," Henshall, 1888; Lorain County, rare, two specimens from 
Black river, 1890, McCormick; Maumee system, " all the larger 
streams and nearly all the smaller ones," July 17 given as a 
breeding date, Kirsch, 1893; Franklin County, nearly all the 
streams, apparently the most common sunfish, June 18 given as a 
breeding date, Williamson and Osburn, 1897; John's creek at 
Waterloo, Huron river at Milan, Ashtabula creek, Wabash river 
at Celina, Stillwater and Wolf creeks near Dayton, North Fork 
of Licking river at Newark, R. C. Osburn, 1899; Niggermill Run 
at Salem, E. B. Williamson, 1900; Sandusky Bay, Summit lake, 
Ohio river at Bellaire, Licking reservoir, R. C. Osburn, 1900. 



82 THE FISHES OF OHIO. 

Lepomis humilis (Girard). Red-spotted Sunfish. 

Head 1% to 3; depth 2% to iyi; eye large, 3 to $%. D. X, 10 or n^ 
A. Ill, 8 or 9; scales large, 5-34-1 1, about 5 rows on cheek. Bod)- oblong, 
profile not very steep. Mucous pores on head very large; opercular flap 
long, broad and with a very broad, red margin, which entirely surrounds 
the black. Longest dorsal spine not quite half head, pectoral a little shorter 
than head. Gill rakers rather long and blunt, well developed. Color, 
bluish with conspicuous greenish spots posteriorly; sides with many con- 
spicuous round, salmon-red spots; a faint black spot on last rays of dorsal; 
belly and lower fins red. Length 4 inches. 

This small, highly colored sunfish is found in Ohio in the south- 
western part only. I know of but one record, as follows: Ham- 
ilton Co., "common in Ross lake and Clough creek," Henshall, 
1888. 

Lepomis pallidus (Mitchill). Bi.ue-gile ; Blue Bream; 
Copper-nosed Bream ; Blue Sunfish. 
Head 234 to 3*4; depth about 2; eye 3^ to 4. D. X, 11; A. Ill, 10 to 
12; scales about 7-45-12, 5 rows on cheek. Body comparatively short and 
deep, compressed; the young slender, adults nearly orbicular, caudal pedun- 
cle rather slender. Head rather small, the projecting snout forming an 
angle above eye. Mouth quite small, the maxillary barely reaching front of 
eye. Opercular flap very short in young, somewhat larger in adult, without 
pale edge. Gill rakers of moderate length, rather stiff. Dorsal fin high; 
pectoral fin long and narrow, longer than head, reaching past front of anal. 
Color, olive green, sometimes quite dark, sometimes with a silvery or golden 
luster. Adults in spring with the belly copper) 7 red. Young, silvery with 
more or less distinct, chain- like bars of darker on the sides. No blue stripes 
on cheek; a black blotch at base of posterior rays of dorsal and anal. Ex- 
tremely variable. Length 12 inches. 

The Blue-gill is a very abundant species in the lakes of Ohio. 
It is quite common and widely distributed in the larger streams, 
but does not ascend small streams. Hamilton County, " abund- 
ant in Iyittle Miami river and Ross lake," Henshall, 1888; Lorain 
County, "not common," McCormick, 1892; Maumee river sys- 
tem, " taken in all the streams and at nearly every point exam- 
ined," Kirsch, 1893; Franklin County, Scioto and Olentangy 
rivers, Big Walnut and Big Darby Creeks, rare, June 14 given as 
a breeding date, Williamson and Osburn, 1897; Huron river at 

{Lefomis machrochirus Rafinesque, has been taken in the head waters of the Ohio 
in western Pennsylvania, by Cope, and in the Ohio river, by Rafinesque and Jordan, but as 
I know of no record of its capture within the state, I hesitate to include it in the list, 
though it doubtless occurs rarely in the Ohio.) 



CEXTRARCHID^E. 83 

Milan, Sandusky Bay. Wabash river at Celina, R. C. Osburn, 
1899; I have observed the species also at Licking and St. Mary's 
reservoirs. In both of these and in Sandusky Bay it is very 
abundant; Pippin lake, Chippewa lake, Summit lake, Ohio river 
at Bellaire, R. C. Osburn, 1900. 

Genus: Eupomotis. 
Key to Species. 

A. Cheeks without marked blue or orange spots or lines. 

B. Scales large. 34 to 39 in lateral line.— heros. 

BB. Scales moderate, 33 in lateral line. euryorus-. 

AA. Cheeks with wavy blue lines, scales about 45 ; lower posterior border of opercular 
flap always scarlet. gibbosus. 

Eupomotis heros (Baird and Girard). 

Head 1% to 3; depth 2 to i%\ eye y/ 2 to 4^; snout y/ 2 to 4. D. X, 11; 
A. Ill, 11; scales 4-34 to 39-13, 4 rows on cheek. Appearance of Lepomis 
pallidus. Body robust, moderately elongate, dorsal and ventral outlines 
about equally curved. Head rather large, a considerable depression in pro- 
file above eye; mouth rather large, maxillary reaching past front of eye. 
Dorsal spines rather high; pectorals reaching beyond middle of anal. 
Opercular flap smaller than eye, much as in E. gibbosus. Pharyngeal teeth 
not so blunt as in gibbosus. Color dark greenish above, gradually becoming 
brassy on belly; opercular spot greenish black, the flap with a broad, blood- 
red border in male, plain in females. No spot on dorsal or anal. Length 
about 8 inches. 

This is a species of southern distribution, and in Ohio prob- 
ably occurs only in the southwestern part of the state. It has 
been recorded, in 1888, for the Little Miami river in Hamilton 
County, by Henshall, under the name Lepomis ?iotatus. 

Eupomotis euryorus (McKay). 

Head 3^; depth 2§. D. X, 11; A. Ill, 10; scales 6-43-14, 6 or 7 rows 
on cheek. Body very robust, compressed, dorsal outline more convex than 
ventral; profile steep, convex. Mouth oblique, small, maxillary reaching 
front of eye. Teeth on front of palatines. Lower pharyngeals w T ith the 
rather long posterior spur turned up, stoutish; the inner angle rounded, 
somewhat obtuse. Teeth stout, very much blunted, not close set. Gill 
rakers short and stout, the inner surface roughened. Opercular flap nearly 
as long as snout, with a very broad, pale membranous margin. Dorsal spines 
low; ventrals and pectorals short, reaching vent. Color in spirits, mottled 
olive, yellowish below; top of head blackish; membranes of vertical fins 
dusky; ventrals dusky, with lighter margins; pectorals pale. Length 8 
inches. 



84 THE FISHES OF OHIO. 

This rare sunfish has been recorded from but two localities in 
Ohio, both of these to the credit of Mr. McCormick, who says of 
them: " I took several specimens near Huron, July 6, 1891, and 
two near Lorain, in September. ' ' Only two other specimens were 
known at the time Mr. McCormick took these. 

Eupomotis gibbosus (Linnaeus). Common Sunfish ; 
Pumpkin Seed ; Sunny. 

Head 3 to 3X ; depth 1% to 2; eye 4 to 4 J /<; snout 4^. D. X, 10 to 12; 
A. Ill, 10 or n; scales about 6-44-13, 4 rows on cheek. Body short and 
deep, compressed, the profile steep, convex. Head rather small;' mouth 
small, maxillary scarcely reaching front of eye. Dorsal spines high, the 
longest 2 to 2]/ z in head, equal to distance from snout to posterior edge of 
pupil; pectorals long, as long as head. Gill rakers short and soft, weaker 
than in any other species except Lepomis megalotis. Pharyngeal teeth all 
bluntly rounded, paved, the bones vtry broad and somewhat concave. 
Opercular flap small, the lower posterior part always bright scarlet, a char- 
acter which distinguishes this species at once in the adult. Color greenish 
olive, brilliantly marked with blue and orange on the sides; belly orange; 
lower fins orange, upper blue and orange-spotted; cheeks orange, with wavy 
blue streaks. One of the most gaudy of our Sunfishes, and quite variable. 
Length 8 inches. 

An abundant species in the ponds and lakes of central and 
northern Ohio, common in the large streams and in the quiet 
waters of bayous. Not common in the smaller streams, and said 
to be rather rare in the southern part of the state. In Sandusky 
Bay and in Licking reservoir it is the most abundant sunfish. 
Ross lake, Hamilton County, and Lake Erie, Henshall, 1889; 
Lorain County, " very abundant below the ripples in the larger 
streams, and in the bayous near the lake. A few taken in the 
pounds," Camden lake, McCormick, 1892; Maumee river system, 
" abundant in all the lakes, common in all the larger streams, 
except the Auglaize river, less common in the smaller streams," 
Kirsch, 1893; Franklin County, Scioto and Olentangy rivers, 
Big Walnut and Big Darby creeks, not common, Williamson and 
Osburn, 1897; Huron river at Milan, Sandusky Bay, St. Mary's 
reservoir, Wabash river at Celina, North Fork of Licking river 
at Newark, R. C. Osburn, 1899; Pippin lake, Chippewa lake, 
Summit lake, Licking reservoir, abundant in all these localities, 
R. C. Osburn, 1900. 



CENTRARCHIM. 85 



Genus : Micropterus. 
Key to Species. 

A. Eleven rows of scales above lateral line, about 17 rows on cheek.— dolomieu. 

AA. Seven rows of scales above lateral line, about 10 rows on cheek.— salmoides. 

Micropterus dolomieu Lacepede. Smau,- mouthed BivACK Bass. 

Head 2^ to 3^; depth 2% to 3^; eye 5 to 6y z . D. X, 13 to 15; A. Ill, 
10 to 12; scales 11-72 to 85-25 (Ohio specimens average about 75 in lateral 
line). Body rather elongate in young, becoming deeper with age. Mouth 
large, but smaller than in M. salmoides, the maxillary usually not extending 
back of posterior edge of orbit. This species can always be distinguished at 
once from M. salmoides by the smaller scales, there being 1 1 rows of scales 
above the lateral line, while in salmoides there are but 7 rows. The color is 
exceedingly variable, giving rise to a number of local names among sports- 
men. The usual color is a dark green, with bronze or golden reflections, 
sometimes almost black on the back; belly lighter. A lateral band never 
present. Said to reach a length of 2 feet. 

Widely distributed over the state and common everywhere in 
suitable localities. Dr. Jordan aptly says in regard to its habits, 
' ' as compared with M. salmoides it is a fish of the running waters, 
having little liking for warm and grassy ponds, bayous or lakes." 
It is found in nearly all streams, sometimes even ascending small, 
spring-fed brooks. Recorded by all students of Ohio fishes from 
Rafinesque and L,e Sueur on down, and under a great variety of 
names. I give the locality records of later investigators. Ham- 
ilton County, " common in Little Miami river," Henshall, 1888 ; 
Lorain County, " common in the larger streams, not so often 
seen in the lake as the next species," McCormick, 1892 ; Maumee 
river system, " common in all the streams, none from the lakes," 
Kirsch, 1893 ; Franklin County, generally abundant, William- 
son and Osburn, 1897 ; Big Jelloway creek system, Knox County, 
nearly all streams, abundant in some places, Parker, Williamson 
and Osburn, 1898 ; John's creek at Waterloo, Ice creek at Iron- 
ton, Huron river at Milan, Sandusky Bay, Ashtabula creek, 
Wabash river at Celina, Stillwater and Wolf creeks near Dayton, 
North Fork of Licking river at Newark, R. C. Osburn, 1899 ; 
Mahoning river, K. B. Williamson, 1900; Cuyahoga river at 
Hawkins, Grand river at Painesville, Chagrin river at Wil- 
loughby, Wheeling creek at Bridgeport, Ohio river and McMahon 
creek at Bellaire, Licking reservoir, R. C. Osburn, 1900. 



S6 THF FISHES OF OHIO. 



Micropterus salmoides (Lacepede). Large-mouthed Black Bass; 
Oswego Bass ; Green Bass ; Bayou Bass. 

Head 3 to 3)4; depth 3 to 3^ ; eye 5 to 6. D. X, 12 or 13; A. Ill, 10 or 
11; scales 7-65 to 70-18. Body much as in M. dolomieu, ovate-fusiform. 
Mouth very large, maxillary (except in very young) reaching past eye. 
Always distinguishable from M. dolomieu by the larger scales, 7 rows above 
lateral line. Color variable, usually dark green above, becoming greenish 
silvery on sides and belly. Young always with a distinct, black lateral band, 
which becomes fainter with age and disappears entirely at about the fourth 
year. Length \y 2 \.o i]/ 2 feet. 

This species is found in lakes, bayous and in channels of 
larger streams. It is a fish of the quiet water. Widely distrib- 
uted. Like the preceding species it has been the subject of much 
synonymy. Rafinesque records it under the name Lepomis 
pallida, for the Ohio, Miami and Hocking rivers. Hamilton 
County, "common in Ross lake," Henshall, 1888; Lorain 
County, ' ' more common in the lake than in the streams," McCor- 
mick, 1892 ; Maumee river system, common in all the lakes, also 
common in the Maumee river and most of its larger tributaries, 
but none in Auglaize river or its tributaries, Kirsch, 1893 ! Frank- 
lin County, Scioto river, Big Walnut creek, Big Darby creek, not 
common, Williamson and Oburn, 1897 I Ohio river and Ice creek 
at Iron ton, John's creek at Waterloo, Huron river at Milan, 
Sandusky Bay, Wabash river at Celina, R. C. Osburn, 1899 ; 
Pippin lake, Chippewa lake, Summit lake, Grand river at Paines- 
ville, Licking reservoir, R. C. Osburn, 1900. 



KEY TO GENERA — PERCID^. S; 



Family : PERCID.E. 
Key to Genera. 

A. Pseudobmnchiae well developed ; preoperele serrate ; branchiostegals 7 ; no anal 
papilla. 

B. Canine teeth on jaws and palatines; body elongate: ventral fins well sepa- 

rated.— Stizostedion. 

BB. Canine teeth none ; body oblong, ventral fins near together. — Perca. 

AA. Pseudobranchice imperfect or wanting ; preoperele entire or nearly so ; branchios- 
tegals 6 ; anal papilla usually present. 

C. Parietal region of skull depressed, not strongly convex in transverse section, 

^-shaped in section. 
D. Cranium broad between the eyes, snout conic, projecting pig-like beyond 

the inferior mouth. — Percina. 

DD. Cranium not broad between the eyes, snout not much proj .ctiiig. 

E. Body not hyaline nor extremely elongate, its surface almost en- 
tirely covered with scales. 
F. Premaxillaries not protractile, the skin of the premaxillary 
continuous in the middle with that of the forehead with no 
cross groove between. — Hadropterus. 

FF. Premaxillaries protractile (in Coltogaster shumardi a narrow, 
connecting f renum sometimes crosses from the premaxillary 
to the forehead). 
G. Anal spines 2, both well developed, the first usually the 
longer. 
H. Mid-line of belly naked or covered by caducous 
shields ; gill membranes scarcely conne ted — 

COTTOG ASTER. 

HH. Belly covered with ordinary scales ; gill mem- 
branes broadly connected.— Diplesion. 
GG. Anal spine single, obscure ; anal fin small, much shorter 
than soft dorsal.— Boleosoma. 
EE. Body extremely elongate, hyaline, subterete, the belly mostly 
naked. 

I. Premaxillaries not protractile ; dorsal spines 12 or 13.— 

Crystallaria. 

II. Premaxillaries protractile ; dorsal spines 9 to 11.— 

Ammocrypta. 
CC. Parietal region of skull not depressed, more or less strongly convex in cross- 
section, n -shaped; premaxillaries never protractile; belly covered with 
ordinary scales. 
J. Lateral line straight ; body rather robust.— Etheostoma. 

JJ. Lateral line with a slight arch running high anteriorly ; body slender.— 

BOLEICHTHYS. 






THE FISHES OF OHIO. 



Genus: Stizostedion. 
Key to Species. 

A. Pyloric coeca 3 ; soft dorsal with about 20 rays; a black spot on last dorsal spines. — 

vitreum. 
AA. Pyloric coeca 4 to 7 ; soft dorsal with about 17 rays ; no black spot on posterior dorsal 
spines, a black blotch at base of pectoral : second dorsal with rows of dark spots. — 

canadense. 

Stizostedion vitreum (Mitchill). Waee-Eyed Pike; Pike Perch ; 
Yeeeow Pike ; Beue Pike ; Jack Saemon. 
Head 3%; depth about 4^; eye 4^ to 5. D. XII to XVI, 19 to 21; A. 
II, 12 to 14; scales 10-noto 132-25; lateral line incomplete. Body slender, 
becoming compressed with age. Cheeks and upper surface of head nearly 
naked. Dorsal spines high, more than one-half the length of head; dorsal 
fins well separated; soft dorsal nearly as long as the spinous. Pyloric coeca, 
3. Color, dark olive, finely mottled with brassy; sides of head more or less 
vermiculated; belly and lower fins pinkish; spinous dorsal with a large, jet 
black spot on posterior 2 or 3 membranes. Length about 3 feet. 

Common in Ohio river and Lake Erie, and sometimes ascend- 
ing their larger tributaries. Kirtland reported it from Lake Erie 
and the Maumee and Ohio rivers under the name Lncio-perca 
americana. Hamilton County, " abundant in the Ohio river," 
Henshall, 1888 ; Lorain County, " very common in the lake, 
entering the streams occasionally," McCormick, 1892 ; Maumee 
river at Grand Rapids and Toledo, and Lake Erie around the 
mouth of the Maumee in large numbers, Kirsch, 1893 5 Huron 
river at Milan, Sandusky Bay, R. C. Osburn, 1899. 

Stizostedion canadense griseum (De Kay). Sauger ; Sand Pike ; 
Gray Pike ; Pickering. 

Head 3^; depth varying with age, 4^ to 6; eye 5. D. XI to XV-I, 17 
to 19; A. II, 11 or 12; scales 9-100 to 125-27; lateral line incomplete. Body 
more terete than in S. vitreum. Head depressed, pointed; opercular spines 
fewer than in the typical 6". canadense, and the head less completely scaled. 
Color, olive gray, sides brassy or orange, with dark mottlings; spinous dorsal 
with 2 or 3 rows of irregular, dark spots, no large, black spot on posterior 
rays. A more translucent fish than 5. vitreum. Pyloric coeca 4 to 7. 
Length about 18 inches. 

Distributed about as the preceding species. Common both in 
the lake and Ohio river. ' ' Abundant in the Great Lakes, plenti- 
ful in Ohio river," Jordan's Report; Hamilton County, "com- 
mon in the Ohio river," Henshall, 1888 ; Lorain County, "com- 
mon in the lake, entering streams oftener than >S. vitreum,' 1 ' 



PERCID^:. 89 

McCormick, 1892 ; Maumee river at Grand Rapids, Waterville 
and Toledo, Blanehard river at Ottawa, west end of Lake Erie, 
Kirseh, 1893. I have seen many dead ones on the lake beach at 
Sandusky. 

Genus: Pkrca. 
Perca fiavescens (Mitchill). Yellow Perch; Ringed Perch. 

Head 3X; depth 3#. D. XIII to XV-II, 13 to 15; A. II, 7 or 8; scales 
7-74 to 88-17; lateral line incomplete. Body slender in young, becoming 
stouter with age; adults have the back considerably arched, the profile con- 
vex from dorsal to occiput, thence concave forward to the projecting snout. 
Cheeks closely scaled; well developed striae on operculars and rugosities on 
top of head. Color, dark olivaceous above, sides golden yellow, with 6 or 8 
broad, dark vertical bars; belly pale, lower fins red or orange. Length 1 
foot. 

A fish of the quiet waters, found abundant in the reservoirs, 
ponds, bayous and lakes of central and northern Ohio, but not 
recorded for the southern part of the state. Kirtland recorded it 
(Bodtanus flavescens) as abundant in Lake Erie and the small 
lakes of northern Ohio. " St. Mary's reservoir and Lake Erie," 
Henshall, 1889 5 Lorain County, " common in the lake and lower 
portions of the rivers," McCormick, 1892 ; Maumee river at 
Grand Rapids, Waterville and Toledo, St. Mary's riv.r at St. 
Marys, Tiffin river at Brunersburg, west end of Lake Erie, Kirseh, 
1893 ; Huron river at Milan, Sandusky Bay, Wabash river at 
Celina, St. Ma^'s reservoir, R. C. Osburn, 1899 ; Summit lake 
and Licking reservoir, R. C. Osburn, 1900. It is very abundant 
in Sandusky Bay and common in Licking reservoir. I have also 
seen the species from the Ohio canal at Newark. 

Genus: Pkrcina. 

Percina caprodes (Rafinesque). Log Perch; Hogfish ; 
Hog Moeey ; Stone Roeeer. 

Head 4 to 4^; depth 5 to 6 l / 2 ; eye 4. D. about XV-15; A. II, 11, Body 
elongate, slender. Head long and pointed, depressed and sloping above; 
snout "pig-like," projecting beyond the inferior mouth; eyes widely sepa- 
rated. Color, light yellowish or yellowish green, with about 15 vertical, 
dark bars extending down on sides below lateral line and alternate with the 
same number of shorter bars. Length 8 inches. 



90 THE FISHES OF OHIO. 

This largest of Ohio darters is widely distributed over the 
state and generally common. It is found in the quiet waters of 
streams of all sizes (but more commonly in the larger ones), and 
in lakes, on gravelly or sandy bottom. Given by Rafinesque for 
the Ohio and Miami. Kirtland reported it "common," and 
Jordan, " generally abundant." Hamilton County, "common in 
Little Miami river and Ross lake," Henshall, 1888; Lorain 
County, " not very common, taken both in rivers and the lake, 
abundant in Sandusky Bay and Put-in-Bay, and it formed the 
bulk of the fishes that I saw among the terns' nests on Rattle 
Snake Island," McCormick, 1892 ; Maumee river system, rather 
common, nearly all streams, Kirsch, 1893 > Franklin County, 
generally distributed, common, but nowhere abundant, William- 
son and Osburn, 1897 ; Big Jelloway creek, Knox County, 
"common," Parker, Williamson and Osburn, 1898 ; Ohio river at 
Ironton, Huron river at Milan, Ashtabula creek, Wabash river 
at Celina, Stillwater creek at Dayton, North Fork of Licking 
river at Newark, R. C. Osburn, 1899; Lake Erie at Sandusky, 
Cuyahoga river at Kent and Hawkins, Breakneck creek at Kent, 
Chippewa lake, Summit lake, Grand river at Painesville, Ohio 
river at Bellaire, Licking reservoir, R. C. Osburn, 1900. 

To the northward this species is represented by the following 
variety : 

Percina caprodes zebra (Agassiz). Manitou Darter. 

This variety is found in the northern part of the state, with the typical 
caprodes. It is known chiefly by the lack of scales on the nuchal region, the 
rather more slender form, and the shorter vertical bars. It intergrades with 
the typical caprodes. 

The Manitou Darter has been recorded for the state by 
McCormick in Lorain County, 1892, as " occuring with the typi- 
cal form in proportion of about 1 to 3, some specimens showing 
intermediate stages;" Lake Erie at Sandusky, Cuyahoga river 
at Hawkins, and Grand river at Painesville, R. C. Osburn, 1900. 









PERClD^. 9 1 



Genus: Hadroptkrus. 
Key to Species. 

A. Mid-line of belly with a series of enlarged caducous plates, which fall off at certain 
intervals, leaving a naked strip from breast to vent ; preopercle strictly entire, not 
serrated. 
B. I,ower jaw as long as upper, snout very narrow and pointed.— phoxocephahis. 
BB. Lower jaw shorter than upper, included ; head moderate, not long and pointed. 
C. Cheeks with very small scales ; dorsal spines 13 to 15.— aspro. 

CC. Cheeks naked ; dorsal spines 10 to 12. — evides. 

AA. Enlarged plates of mid-line of belly persistent at least posteriorly ; preopercle 
finely serrated. — scierus. 

Hadropterus phoxocephahis (Nelson). 

Head 3% to 4; depth 5% to 6; eye 4^. D. XI or XII-12 to 14; A. II, 
8 or 9; scales 12-80 to 85-16; lateral line incomplete. Body slender. Head 
very long and pointed; mouth terminal, large; jaws sub-equal; snout very 
long, acuminate. Cheeks, opercles and neck with small scales, breast naked; 
caducous shields of midline of belly small. Gill membranes somewhat con- 
nected. Color, brownish olive, much vermiculated; a row of about 14 dark, 
quadrate spots, sometimes confluent, along lateral line. Length 6 inches. 

Recorded from three widely separated localities, which would 
indicate a general distribution, yet it seems to be quite rare except 
in the southwestern part of the state, where Henshall, 1888, 
reports it as common in little Miami river. One specimen was 
taken near I^orain, by McCormick, 1892 ; and Mr. H. B. William- 
son and the writer took a single specimen in Big Walnut creek 
near Lockbourne, Franklin County. 

Hadropterus aspro (Cope and Jordan). Bi,ack-sided Darter. 

Head 4; depth 5 to 6; eye 4. D. XIII to XV-11 to 13; A. II, 8 to 10; 
scales 9-65 to 80-17, lateral line incomplete. Body rather elongate, sub- 
terete, compressed behind. Head moderately elongate; snout blunt; mouth 
sub-inferior, lower jaw included; gill membranes slightly or not at all con- 
nected. Opercle with rather large scales; cheek with very small, imbedded 
scales; breast naked; caducous scales of mid-ventral line rather large. Color 
light yellowish or greenish yellow, tessellated above with dark olive or black- 
ish; white below; about 8 large, dark blotches along lateral line, these often 
confluent; fins barred. Length, about 4 inches. 

A common species throughout the state. Found in clear 
streams on gravelly bottom. Hamilton County, "common in 
East Mill creek," Henshall, 1888; Lorain County, "nowhere 
common, but found in most streams and the lake," McCormick, 
1892; Maumee river system, "abundantly distributed in all the 



92 THE FISHES OF OHIO. 

streams examined," Kirsch, 1893; Franklin County, a common 
darter of general distribution, Williamson and Osburn, 1897 5 
Big Jelloway creek, Knox County, " common," Parker, William- 
son and Osburn, 1898 ; John's creek at Waterloo, Huron river at 
Milan, Ashtabula creek, Wabash river at Celina, Stillwater creek 
at Dayton, North Fork of Licking river at Newark, R. C. Osburn, 
1899 ; Ohio river at Bellaire, outlet of Licking reservoir, R. C. 
Osburn, 1900. 

Hadropterus evides (Jordan and Copeland). 

Head 4^; depth 5^; eye 3^, large and high in head. D. XI-to; 
A. II, 8 or 9; scales 9-52 to 67-9 to 11. Body moderate, somewhat com- 
pressed. Head heavy, the profile rather convex. Mouth moderate, lower 
jaw included. Cheeks, nape and throat naked; opercles with rather large 
caducous scales; ventral shields but little enlarged. Fins large, pectorals 
long. Coloration extremely brilliant in breeding males, females and young 
plainer. General color above, dark olivaceous, tessellated with darker; 
back and sides with about 7 broad, transverse bars; fins marked with orange, 
black, bronze, yellow and blue-black. " One of the most brilliant of all 
fishes." Length 2 or 3 inches. 

Rare in Ohio, its distribution being more westerly. The 
species has, however, been taken in the Ohio river at Raccoon 
Island, by Dr. Henshall, 1889, and by Kirsch, in the Maumee 
river at Grand Rapids. 

Hadropterus scierus Swain. 

Head 4 to 4*; depth 5 to 6; eye 4 to 4%. D. XIII-13 or 14; A. II, 9; 
scales 7-68 to 70-17. Body robust. Head rather short, snout bluntish; 
mouth small, lower jaw included; preopercle more or less distinctly serrate. 
Gill membranes broadly connected. Opercle with large scales, those on 
cheek slightly smaller. Throat naked, breast nearly so. Ventral shields 
but little enlarged and not caducous except anteriorly. Color yellowish 
olive, everywhere vaguely blotched with black; top of head, dorsal, anal and 
ventral fins black in male, paler in female; scales everywhere finely punctu- 
late with brown; sides with a few larger, black specks. Length 5 inches. 

Rare. Like the preceding species, its distribution is westerly. 
I know of but one record for the state, that by Henshall, " Ohio 
river, near Little Sandy river, 1889." 

Hadropterus peltatus (Stauffer). 
Mr. McCormick has recorded (1892) this species from Vermillion river, two speci- 
mens. H. peltatus, as now understood, occurs from southeastern Pennsylvania southward 
along the coast, and is not known west of the Alleghanies. so I am inclined to think there 
must be some error in the above record. Under this belief I omit the species from the 
Ohio list. 



perciM. 93 



Genus : COTTOG AST]-: R . 
Key to Species. 

A. Mid-line of belly with a series of enlarged caducous scales or plates. — copelavdi. 
AA. Mid-line of belly naked anteriorly, covered with ordinary scales posteriorly.— 

shumardi. 

Cottogaster copelandi (Jordan). 

Head 3^ to 4^; depth 5/2 to 6/ 2 \ eye about y/ 2 . D. X to XII-10 to 
12; A. II, 8 or 9; scales 6-44 to 56-8. Body rather slender. Head rather 
large and long, much resembling that of Boleosoma. Mouth small, hori- 
zontal, sub-inferior, cheeks naked; opercles and neck with a few scales, 
throat naked; ventral plates well developed. Pectoral fin as long as head. 
Color, brownish olive, tessellated above; a series of small, oblong, dark 
blotches along lateral line, sometimes indistinct. Vertical fins with dusky 
specks; a black spot on anterior rays of spinous dorsal. Length 2% or 3 
inches. 

Widely distributed over the state, but apparently very rare 
everywhere. Muskingum river, and Ohio river at Raccoon Island, 
1889, and Lake Erie at Put-in-Bay, Henshall ; Lorain County, 
"Vermillion river, but one specimen taken," McCormick, 1892 ; 
Maumee river at Toledo, two specimens, Kirsch, 1893 I i n Huron 
river at Milan, in 1897, two specimens were taken by Prof. D. S. 
Kellicott, Mr. E. B. Williamson and the writer. 
Cottogaster shumardi (Girard). 

Head 3I to 4; depth 5 to 5^; eye 3^. D. IX to XI-13 to 15; A. II, 10 
to 12; scales 6-48 to 60-11. Body stout, heavy forward, compressed behind. 
Head broad and thick. Mouth large and broad, lower jaw the shorter. 
Premaxillaries usually protractile, but a narrow frenum sometimes present. 
Cheeks, opercles and neck usually scaly; chest naked; belly naked anteri- 
orly, scaled for a short distance before vent. Color dark, densely but vaguely 
spotted with darker; sides with 8 or 10 obscure blotches; a large, black spot 
at base of spinous dorsal behind, and a small one in front. Length 3 inches. 

Not common, but occuring in both the Lake Erie and Ohio 
river drainage. Found on sandy bottom in rivers, not found in 
small streams. Recorded by Henshall for the Muskingum river 
and for the Ohio river near Parkersburg, 1889 ; recorded for 
Vermillion river as Etheostoma wrighti, by McCormick, 1892 ; in 
1899 the writer took a half dozen specimens in the Ohio river at 
Ironton, and in August, 1900, the species was again taken at 
Bellaire. 



94 THE FISHES OF OHIO. 

Genus ; Diplesion. 
Diplesion blennioides (Rafinesque). Green-sided Darter. 

Head about <\%\ depth 4^ to 6. D. XII to XIV- 12 to 15; A. II, 8 or 9; 
scales 6-58 to 78-14. Body elongate, subterete. Head short, profile very 
convex, snout very blunt, cheeks tumid; eyes large, y/ 2 , high up and close 
together; mouth small, inferior; gill membranes broadly connected. Cheeks 
with fine scales, opercles with large ones, breast naked Color dark olive 
green, tessellated above; sides with 7 or 8 Y-shaped, dark bars, these some- 
times confluent to form a dark zigzag band. In highly colored males a 
number of broad, bright green bands almost encircle the body. Females 
and young may be quite dull, but the pattern of the dark marks on the side 
is characteristic. Length 3 to 5 inches. 

The Green-sided. Darter is an abundant resident of the clear, 
rapid streams of the state, found especially on stony ripples. 
Rafinesque records it from the Ohio and Muskingum. Kirtland 
mentions its occurrence in the state, and Jordan gives it as 
" abundant." Hamilton County, " abundant in East Mill creek 
and Little Miami river," Henshall, 1888; "Vermillion river, 
scarce, not uncommon in Sandusky Bay," McCormick, 1892 ; 
Maumee river system, taken in all the largi streams (except St. 
Mary's river) and nearly all the smaller ones, Kirsch, 1893; 
Franklin County, abundant, and of general distribution, William- 
son and Osburn, 1897 I Big Jelloway creek system, common on 
ripples, Park:r, Williamson and Osburn, 1898 ; John's creek at 
Waterloo, Huron river at Milan, Ashtabula creek, Wabash river 
at Celina, Stillwater creek at Dayton, North Fork of Licking 
river at Newark, R. C. Osburn, 1899; Mahoning river, E. B. 
Williamson, 1900 ; Cuyahoga river at Hawkins, Breakneck creek 
at Kent, Grand river at Painesville, Chagrin river at Willoughby, 
Wheeling creek at Bridgeport, Ohio river and McMahon creek at 
Bellaire, R. C. Osburn, 1900. 

Genus: BolEOSOMA. 

Boleosoma nigrum (Rafinesque). Johnny Dartkr. 

Head about 4; depth 5 to 6; eye y/ z to 4. D. IX-11 to 14; A. I, 7 to 9; 
scales 5-44 to 55-9. Body fusiform, slender. Head moderate, snout some- 
what bluntly decurved; mouth small, lower jaw included. Cheeks and breast 
usually naked; opercles scaly. Anal spine short and weak; fins all high. 



PERCID.^E. 95 

Color usually pale olivaceous, much tessellated above; sides with numerous 
small W-shaped, dark blotches. Males in breeding season heavily pig- 
mented, especially anteriorly, with blue-black. A black line forward and 
downward from eye. Fins barred. Length 2 to 2' 2 inches. 

The little Johnny Darter is found all over Ohio, and is usually 
quite abundant. It inhabits lakes and rivers on sandy bottom, 
the clear creeks of Ohio are favorite abiding places, and every 
small brook and spring run large enough to contain any fish at 
all will be found to have its quota of "Johnnies." Hamilton 
County, "common in Little Miami river," Henshall, 1888 ; Lorain 
County, " very common everywhere, one of the few species that 
may be depended upon when the seine is drawn," McCormiek, 
1892 ; Maumee river system, common everywhere, Kirsch, 1893 : 
Franklin County, taken in every stream, abundant, April 3rd 
given as a breeding date, Williamson and Osburn, 1897 : Big 
Jelloway creek system, abundant in every stream, Parker, Wil- 
liamson and Osburn, 1898 ; John's creek at Waterloo, Huron 
river at Milan, Sandusky Bay, Ashtabula creek, Wabash river at 
Celina, Stillwater and Wolf creeks at Dayton, North Fork of 
Licking river at Xewark, R. C. Osburn, 1899 ; Xiggermill Run 
and Mahoning river, E. B. Williamson, 1900 ; Pippin lake, Chip- 
pewa lake. Summit lake, Cuyahoga river at Kent and Hawkins, 
Breakneck creek at Kent, Grand river at Painesville, Chagrin 
river at Willoughby, Wheeling creek at Bridgeport, Ohio river 
and McMahon creek at Bellaire, Licking reservoir, R. C. Osburn, 
1900. 

Genus: Crvstallaria. 

Crystaliaria asprella 1 Jordan). 

Head \\ to 4^; depth 7 to S. D. XII to XIV-13 to 15; A. I, 12 to 14; 
scales 7 to 10-98 to 100-10. Body long and slender. Head long and slender; 
eye large; mouth not large, subterminal; premaxillaries not protractile; 
opercular spine well developed. Cheeks and opercles with pectinate scales; 
throat and belly naked, space between ventrals scaled. Color translucent 
olive, pellucid in life; with 3 or 4 more or less distinct, dark cross bands on 
back and sides; a dark lateral band made up of about 10 more or less con- 
fluent blotches. Length 5 or 6 inches. 



96 THE FISHES OF OHIO. 

Apparently a very rare species in Ohio, and confined to larger 
streams. Recorded by Henshall for the Muskingum river, 1889 ; 
and one specimen was taken on sandy bottom in the Ohio river at 
Ironton, May 31, 1899, by the writer. 

Genus: Ammocrypta. 
Ammocrypta pellucida (Baird). Sand Darter. 

Head 4 to 4^; depth 7 to 8^. D. X-10; A. I, 8 to 10; scales in lateral 
line about 75, about 6 rows above lateral line. Body very long, terete, quite 
pellucid in life. Head stout; eyes large, high up, interorbital space narrow. 
Cheeks, opercles, and temporal region with embedded scales; belly and sides 
below lateral line entirely naked; much of dorsum in front and on either 
side of dorsal fin naked or thinly scaled. Translucent, sometimes tinged 
with olivaceous; scales with narrow, dark edging; about 12 or 15 black 
blotches along the sides; a gilt lateral band. Length 3 inches. 

The Sand Darter is well distributed over the state and is 
common locally in larger streams on sandy bottoms. Taken also 
in the lake. Hamilton County, common in Little Miami river, 
Henshall, 1888 ; Lorain County, Lake Erie and the larger streams, 
not common, McCormick, 1892 ; " common everywhere on sandy 
bottom in the Maumee river, and in the lower courses of the 
larger tributaries," Kirsch, 1893 ! Franklin County, Olentangy 
river, Big Walnut and Little Walnut, Big Darby and Black Lick 
creeks, not common, June 28 given as a breeding date, William- 
son and Osburn, 1897 \ Huron river at Milan, Wabash river at 
Celina, Stillwater creek near Dayton, R. C. Osburn, 1899 ; Grand 
river at Painesville, Ohio river at Bellaire, R. C. Osburn, 1900. 



PERCID.E. 97 



Genus: Etheostoma. 
Key to Species. 

A. Lateral line complete. (A few tubes rarely wanting.) 

B. Gill membranes broadly connected across the isthmus. 

C. Anal fin nearly as large as soft dorsal ; spinous dorsal with about 13 

spines.— variatum. 

CC. Anal fin much smaller than soft dorsal ; spinous dorsal with 10 or 11 
spines— zonale. 

BB. Gill membranes scarcely connected across the isthmus. 

D. Head short, the muzzle abruptly decurved. mouth somewhat inferior, 

lower jaw included.— camurum. 

DD. Head rather long and pointed, snout not decurved, mouth terminal, jaws 
subequal.— macula turn. 

AA. Lateral line more or less incomplete. 

E. Humeral region without differentiated black, scale-like process.— coeruleum. 
EE- Humeral region with distinct, black process or scale. 

F. Gill membranes scarcely connected ; lower jaw not projecting.— 

tippecanoe. 
FF. Gill membranes connected : lower jaw strongly projecting.— flabcllare. 

Etheostoma variatum Kirtland. 

Head $% to 4 or more; depth 4* to 5^; eye y/ 2 to 4. D. XII-13 (XII 
toXIV-n to 13); A. II, 7 to 10; scales 8-51 to 63-12. Body moderately 
elongate, not much compressed, the back somewhat arched. Head short 
and thick; snout short and blunt, decurved, parietal region broad and de- 
pressed, resembling Hadropterus in this respect; profile above eyes strongly 
decurved; mouth small, lips thick, lower jaw included; premaxillary not 
protractile; gill membranes united. Head naked except 1 to 3 scales on 
opercle above; breast loosely scaled. Fins all very large, pectorals reaching 
beyond tips of ventrals. General color above, dark greenish olive, becom. 
ing barred vertically on the sides posteriorly, about four black blotches 
across the back. Females and young similarly marked, but paler. The 
following color description taken from the living specimen is typical of 
breeding males : Color, dark olive, with about 8 greenish cross-bars on 
posterior part of body; interspaces pale, each with 2 bright carmine spots; 
back crossed by 4 black bars; sides of belly bright orange; middle of belly 
pale; first dorsal dark brown at base, then a pale space, above this a wide, 
dark bar, then another pale space, bordered with bright orange; second 
dorsal and caudal flecked w T ith carmine; anal greenish, bordered with pale 
orange; ventrals greenish black with a little orange at the margin; pectorals 
tinged with orange and green, the rays with carmine spots. Length 3^ 
inches. 

This elegant darter was described by Dr. Kirtland from the 
Mahoning river in 1838, and was not taken again in the state for 
fift}- years, until, in 1888, Henshall recorded it for the Little 



98 THE FISHES OF OHIO. 

Miami river, near Red Bank, as "not rare." In April, 1897, 
Mr. J. B. Parker found it common on swift ripples in Big Jello- 
way creek, Knox County, and in May,- 1898, Messrs. Parker, 
Williamson and the writer, seining the Big Jelloway creek sys- 
tem, found this to be " the most abundant darter, especially fre- 
quenting swift ripples." In Franklin County, in the summer of 
1897, the species was taken by Mr. E. B. Williamson and the 
writer on swift ripples in Big Walnut creek, Little Walnut creek, 
and Black Lick, but nowhere common. In 1899 the writer took 
the species in North Fork of Licking river near Newark ; and in 
1900, in the Ohio river at Bellaire. 

Etheostoma zonale (Cope). 
Head 4 to 5; depth 4 to 6; eye 3^ to 4. D. X or XI-10 to 12; A. II, 6 
to 8; scales about 6-5C-9. Body rather slender, somewhat compressed. 
Head small and short; mouth small, subinferior; snout blunt, profile rapidly 
descending; gill membranes broadly connected. Cheeks, opercles and neck 
usually scaled, breast usually naked. Color clear olive green above, with 
8 or 10 greenish blue vertical bands which encircle the body posteriorly; 
below paler, with a brassy tinge; breast greenish black. First dorsal black 
at base, then a wide orange bar margined with black anteriorly, with green- 
ish posteriorly; second dorsal orange at base, dark above; caudal and pec- 
torals plain, tinged with green; anal and ventrals green, black at base. 
Young and females dull and speckled, the vertical bars indistinct and the 
fins speckled. Length 2 or 3 inches. 

This species has been taken in a number of localities of the 
state, indicating a pretty general distribution. It is locally com- 
mon, but is only taken on swift ripples. Hamilton County, 
" common in East Mill creek and Little Miami river," Henshall, 
1888 ; Franklin County, Scioto river, Olentangy river, Big Wal- 
nut creek, Little Walnut creek, Alum creek, Black Lick, common 
where found, Williamson and Osburn, 1897 ; Big Jelloway creek 
system, Knox County, "common on swift ripples," Parker, 
Williamson and Osburn, 1898 ; Huron river at Milan, Stillwater 
and Wolf creeks near Dayton, North Fork of Licking river at 
Newark, R. C. Osburn, 1899 ; Ohio river at Bellaire, R. C. 
Osburn, 1900. 

Etheostoma camurum (Cope). Blue-breasted Darter. 

Head 3^ to 4; depth 4 to 4^. D. XI-12 or 13; A. II, 8; scales 7-50 to 
58-8. Body stout, rather compressed. Head short; snout blunt, profile 



pErcid.£. 99 

rapidly descending; lips thick, lower jaw included. Caudal peduncle deep. 
Color, dark olivaceous, sometimes nearly black above, somewhat barred on 
the sides; a dark longitudinal line on each row of scales; sides irregularly 
flecked with crimson dots; belly pale; throat and breast deep dark blue. 
Fins marked with brown, green, black, yellow and crimson. Females less 
distinctly marked. Length iVz inches. 

The Blue-breasted Darter is rather rare in Ohio, although it 
has been taken at a number of widely separated localities, which 
would indicate a general distribution. It is found in company 
with E. zo7iale, on swift, stony ripples, but is much less frequent 
in occurrence. Jordan mentions it for the Mahoning river ; 
" Muskingum river," Henshall, 1889; Franklin County, Scioto 
river, Olentangy river, Big Walnut creek, not common, William- 
son and Osburn, 1898 ; Huron river at Milan, Stillwater creek at 
Dayton, North Fork of lacking river at Newark, R. C. Osburn, 
1899. 

Etheostoma maculatum Kirtland. 

Head 3^ to 4; depth 4% to 5%. D. XII-12 or 13; A. II, 8 or 9; scales 
9-56 to 63-14. Body elongate, caudal peduncle very deep. Head acuminate, 
the front descending very gradually, the mandible rising as gradually to its 
extremity; jaws subequal. Lateral line complete; cheeks naked; opercles 
scaled; gill membranes not connected. Color, above black, shading to dark 
olive below; throat turquoise blue; sides and dorsum marked with small, 
circular spots of bright crimson. First dorsal uncolored, with a black spot 
at its base in front and a dark shade through the middle; second dorsal 
blood red; caudal with two large, crimson spots confluent on the mid-line of 
the tail at its base. Female dull, the fins dark barred and not crimson. 
Length 2^ inches- 
Very rare. The species was described in 1838 from speci- 
mens taken in the Mahoning river by Dr. Kirtland. I know of 
but one subsequent record of its capture within the state. Mr. 
E. B. Williamson and the writer took a single specimen, a female 
with ripe eggs, from a swift ripple in Big Walnut creek, near 
Lockbourne, Franklin County, on June 26, 1897. 

Etheostoma cceruleum Storer. Rainbow Darter ; Blue Darter ; 
Soldier Fish. 
Head 3 1 / 2 or more; depth 4% ; eye 4 to 4%. D. IX to XII-12 to 14; 
A. II, 7 or 8; scales 5-37 to 50-10. Body robust, rather deep and com- 
pressed. Head large, compressed. Mouth moderate, terminal, oblique, the 
lower jaw somewhat included; gill membranes not united. Cheeks naked 



iOO THE FISHES OF OHIO. 

or nearly so, opercles scaled, neck and breast usually naked. Color, oliva- 
ceous, tessellated above; sides with a varying number (about 12) of vertical, 
indigo-blue bars, separated by orange interspaces; throat, breast and sides 
of belly orange; cheeks blue-green; first dorsal crimson at base, above this 
an orange bar, margined with blue; other vertical fins chiefly orange, tipped 
with blue. Females much plainer, with very little blue or red. Length 2^ 
inches. 

This elegant little fish is widely distributed over the state, 
and is generally abundant. It is most common in the smaller 
streams, and is always found in running water, usually on ripples, 
and does not occur in lakes. Kirtland reported it in 1854 from 
near Cleveland, under the name Poecilosoma erythrogastrum. 
Jordan gives it as " the most abundant member of the family." 
Hamilton County, " very common in East Mill creek," Henshall, 
1888; Lorain County, "one of the most common darters," 
McCormick, 1892; Maumee river system, "not taken in the 
Maumee, St. Mary's and St. Joseph rivers, common in all the 
other larger streams and nearly all the small ones," Kirsch, 1893 5 
Franklin County, abundant, of general distribution, Williamson 
and Osburn, 1897; Big Jelloway creek, " very common," Parker, 
Williamson and Osburn, 1898 ; John's creek at Ironton, Huron 
river at Milan, Ashtabula creek. Wabash river at Celina, Still- 
water and Wolf creeks at Dayton, North Fork of Licking river 
at Newark, R. C. Osburn, 1899 ; Mahoning river, E. B. William- 
son, 1900 ; Cuyahoga river, at Hawkins, Grand river at Paines- 
ville, Chagrin river at Willoughby, Wheeling creek at Bridge- 
port, McMahon creek at Bellaire, R. C. Osburn, 1900. 

The following variety of this species is also taken in Ohio : 

Etheostoma cceruleum spectabile (Agassiz). 

It is known from the typical species by the " faded out " appearance of 
the ground color of the back, and by the arrangement of the olivaceous into 
distinct longitudinal lines. It is also rather more slender than the typical 
cceruleum, into which, both in color and in measurement it insensibly grades. 

This variety is found in brooks and smaller streams, replac- 
ing to some extent the typical form in central and western Ohio. 
Specimens from Ohio streams show many intermediate stages. 
Recorded by Kirsch from Sugar creek, near Lima ; Franklin 
County, taken only in the small streams, " grading insensibly into 



PERCIM. IOI 

the typical species," Williamson and Osburn, 1897; headwaters of 
Wabash river at Celina, Wolf creek near Dayton, brooks tribu- 
tary to North Fork of Licking river near Newark, R. C. Osburn, 
1899 ; Breakneck creek at Kent, tributaries of Grand river at 
Painesville, R. C. Osburn, 1900. 

Etheostoma tippecanoe Jordan and Evermann. 

Head y/ 2 to 4>+ ; depth 4X to 4^; eye small, 4^ in head. D. XlI-12; 
A. II, 7; scales 5 or 6-46 to 50-8; lateral line straight, developed on only 
about 30 scales. Body compressed, caudal peduncle deep. Head rather 
small, little compressed; mouth large, terminal, oblique, the lower jaw some- 
what included; gill membranes scarcely connected. A small, well defined, 
black humeral scale. Cheeks, throat and breast naked; opercles scaled. 
Color in life, dark olive green, strongly tinged with yellow, especially pos- 
teriorly, passing into greenish yellow on belly; about 14 narrow, well defined, 
greenish black vertical bands encircling the body posteriorly; breast deep 
blue-black, the color extending forward on the throat and backward on the 
ventral fins; dorsal and anal fins golden yellow, pigmented with blue-black; 
pectorals plain golden yellow; ventrals golden yellow, blue-black at base. 
Female paler, no high colors, dark markings less distinct. Length \ l / 2 
inches. 

In Ohio this exceedingly rare darter has been taken only in 
Franklin County. Four specimens were taken by Mr. H. B. 
Williamson and the writer, one in the Olentangy river at Colum- 
bus, in September, 1896, the other three in Big Walnut creek 
near Lockbourne, on June 26, 1897. The species was taken in 
very swift ripples. 

Etheostoma flabellare Rafinesque. Fan-tailed Darter. 

Head y/ z to 4; depth 4^ to 6; eye 4 to 5. D. VIII-12 to 14; A. II, 7 to 
9; scales about 9-50-14. Body slender, compressed. Head long and pointed; 
snout not decurved, mouth very oblique, lower jaw projecting; gill mem- 
branes well connected. Fins all low, the first dorsal notably so, and, in the 
male, the spines tipped with fleshy knobs; caudal large, rounded. Head 
entirely naked; a narrow, bare strip along base of spinous dorsal. Color 
very dark olivaceous, forming vertical bars on sides; each scale with a dark 
center; dark humeral spot conspicuous; dorsal and caudal fins barred with 
black. Some Ohio specimens approach the variety lineolatum , characterized 
by distinct longitudinal lines along the rows of scales. Length 2j^ inches. 

A common species in the clear, rapid streams of the state, 
found especially on ripples. Hamilton County, "common in 
East Mill creek," Henshall, 1888; Lorain County, "rare, 



Io2 THE FISHES OF OHIO. 

Vermillion river," MeCormick, 1892; Maumee river system, 
St. Joseph river at Edgerton, Tiffin river at Brunersburg, 
Sugar creek at Lima, Beaver creek at Grand Rapids, Kirsch, 
1893 ; Franklin County, nearly every stream, abundant, Wil- 
liamson and Osburn, 1897 5 Big Jelloway creek, Knox County, 
" a very common species," Parker, Williamson and Osburn, 1898; 
John's creek at Waterloo, Huron river at Milan, Ashtabula creek, 
Wabash river at Celina, Stillwater and Wolf creeks near Dayton, 
North Fork of Licking river at Newark, R. C. Osburn, 1899 ; 
Niggermill Run at Salem, E. B. Williamson, 1900 ; Lake Pippin, 
Cuyahoga river at Kent, Wheeling creek at Bridgeport, Ohio 
river and McMahon creek at Bellaire, R.. C. Osburn, 1900. 

Gen?(s: Boleichthys. 
Boleichthys fusiformis (Girard). 
Head $% to 4; depth 3^ to 6; eye 3 to 4. D. VIII to X-9 to 12; A. II, 
6 to 8; scales 3-43 to 60-12. Body usually elongate, compressed. Head 
rather long and narrow; snout short, decurved; mouth terminal, lower jaw 
slightly included; premaxillaries not protractile; gill membranes connected. 
Cheeks, opercles, nape and breast usually scaled. Lateral line incomplete, 
high up, often interrupted. Color, olivaceous, the sides and back blotched 
with darker, pale below; in adult males the sides are usually flecked with 
crimson; base of caudal with 4 dark spots in a vertical row; spinous dorsal 
usually blue, with a median crimson band. An extremely variable species. 

Jordan records the species for the state as " noticed only in 
tributaries of the Maumee, in Ohio." No other collector men- 
tions it. However, it seems to be distributed over northern and 
central Ohio, in suitable localities. The writer has found it to be 
rather common in shallow water in Sandusky Bay, and has taken 
it also in the Huron river at Milan, 1899, and in Pippin and 
Summit lakes and in Licking reservoir, 1900. 

Family: Serranid^E. 

Genus: Roccus. 

Roccus chrysops (Rafinesque). White Bass. 

Head 3%; depth i]/ z \ eye 5. D. IX-I, 14; A. Ill, 11 or 12; scales 10-55 

to 65-15. Body rather deep and compressed; back considerably arched. 

Head subconical; mouth moderate, nearly horizontal, lower jaw slightly 

projecting. Head scaled to between nostrils. Color, silvery, tinged with 

golden below; sides with narrow, dusky lines. Length 15 inches. 



SCI^NID^. IO3 

An abundant species in Lake Erie, ascending the larger tribu- 
taries to some distance. The species is said to be common in the 
lower Ohio, but no one seems to have noticed it within the limits 
of the state, though it probably ascends to that distance. Lake 
Erie, Henshall, 1889; Lorain Count)', "quite common in the 
lake, ascending the streams to the dams," McCormick, 1892 ; 
Maumee river at Grand Rapids, Waterville and Toledo, Kirsch, 
1893 ; abundant in Lake Erie at Sandusky, rare in Huron river 
at Milan, R. C. Osburn, 1899. 

Family ; ScijE^idjE. 
Genus ; Apix>dinotus. 

Aplodinotus grunniens Rafinesque. Sheepshead ; Drum ; 
White Perch. 

Head 2> l A\ depth 2^; eye 3. D. X, 30; A. II, 7. scales 9-55-13. Body 
oblong; back much elevated and compressed; profile long and steep, straight- 
ish. Head slightly compressed; mouth moderate, subinferior. Lower 
pharyngeal bones fully united, with course, blunt, paved teeth. Color, 
grayish silvery, dusky above, sometimes very dark; back sometimes with 
dusky streaks along the rows of scales. Attaining a weight of 50 or 60 
pounds. 

An abundant species both in Lake Erie and the Ohio river, 
and ascending their larger tributaries to some distance. Kirtland, 
following Le Sueur, recorded the lake form as Sciama oscula, and 
the Ohio river form as 5\ grisea. Jordan gives it as very abund- 
ant in Lake Erie, and also mentions it for the Ohio. Hamilton 
County, "abundant in Ohio river," Henshall, 1888; Lorain 
County, "very common in the lake, Vermillion river, Black 
river," McCormick, 1892 ; Maumee river at Defiance, Grand 
Rapids, Waterville and Toledo, west end of Lake Erie, Kirsch, 
1893; Muskingum river at McConnellsville, Prof, D. S. Kelli- 
cott ; Ohio river at Ironton, Huron river at Milan, Lake Erie at 
Sandusky, R. C. Osburn, 1899 5 Ohio river at Bellaire, R. C. 
Osburn, 1900, 



104 THE FISHES OF OHIO. 

Family : Cottid^. 

Genus: CoTTus. 

Cottus ictalops (Rafinesque). Mieeer's Thumb; Spring Fish. 

Head about 3^; depth 4 to 6; eye 4. D. VI to VIII-16 or 17; A. about 
12; ventral fin I, 4, the spine slender and closely attached to the first ray. 
Body stout anteriorly, tapering regularly back to the slender caudal pedun- 
cle. Skin smooth, except just behind the pectorals, where it is beset with 
very small, sharp prickles, these sometimes obsolete; lateral line conspicu- 
ous. Gill membranes not meeting across the very broad isthmus. Olivace- 
ous, more or less barred and speckled with darker; fins mostly barred or 
mottled. Onite variable. Males in breeding season with a wide, black bar 
margined with orange on dorsal fin, and under side of head pigmented with 
dark or blue-black. Length 3 to 7 inches. 

Widely distributed, but never abundant ; sometimes locally 
common. It occurs in clear, cold brooks and rapid streams. 
Recorded as Cottus baii'dii, by Girard, from specimens taken by 
Spencer F. Baird, in Mahoning river at Poland. Given by Jordan 
as C. richardsoni; Lorain County, common in Spring brook and 
Chance creek, McCormick, 1892 ; Maumee river system, St. 
Joseph river at Edgerton, Kirsch, 1893 5 Franklin County, four 
specimens from Brackenridge's Run, Williamson and Osburn, 
1897; Big Jelloway creek system, Knox County, Parker's Run 
and Black's Run, common in the latter, Parker, Williamson and 
Osburn, 1898 ; a small brook tributary to North Fork of Licking 
river at Newark, R. C. Osburn, 1899. 

Family: Gadid^B. 

Geiius: Lota. 

Lota maculosa (Le Sueur). Burbot ; Ling; Lake Lawyer. 

Head 4^; depth 5^; eye 7. D. 13-76; A. 68; scales very small, em- 
bedded. Body elongate, not much compressed anteriorly. Head slightly 
depressed; mouth large; a single barbel on the chin. 30 pyloric coeca. 
Color, dark olive, thickly marbled and reticulated with blackish; below, 
yellowish or dusky. Length about 2 feet. 

Common in Lake Erie, not recorded elsewhere in the state. 
Recorded for Lake Erie by Le Sueur, 1817, by Kirtland, 1838 ; 
by Henshall, 1888, and by McCormick for Lorain County, Lake 
Erie, 1892 ; Sandusky, R. C. Osburn, 1899 arid 1900. 



INDEX TO FAMILIES AND GENERA. 



Abramis 49 

Acipenser 19 

Ambloplites 79 

Ammocrypta 96 

Ameiurus 23 

Amia 21 

Amiidae 21 

Anguillidse 65 

Anguilla 65 

Aplodinotus 103 

Argyrosomus 69 

Aphredoderidse 75 

Aphredoderus 75 

Apomotis 80 

Atherinidae 76 

Roleichthys 102 

Boleosoma 94 

Campostonia.. 43 

Carassius. ... 42 

Carpiodes 31 

Catostomidae 30 

Catostomus 34 

Centrarchidse 77 

Chtenobryttus 79 

Chrosomus 44 

Cliola 50 

Clupeide* 67 

Cottidee 104 

Cottus 104 

Cottogaster 93 

Coregonus 68 

Cristivomer 69 

Crystal] aria 95 

Cycleptus 33 

Cyprinidse 41 

Cy r rinus 42 



Diplesion .. . 
Dorosoma .. . 
Dorosomidce. 



Ericymba 59 

Erimyzon 36 

Etheostoma 97 

Eucalia .... 74 

Eupomotis 83 

Exoglossum 64 



Fundulus 



73 



Gadidae... 
Gasterosteidae. 



104 

74 

Hadropterus 91 

Hiodon 66 

Hiodontidse 66 

Hybognathus 44 

Hybopsis 62 



Ichthyomyzon 15 

Ictalurus 22 

Ictiobus 30 

I<abidesthes 76 

Ivagochila 40 

Ivampetra 16 

I^episosteidae 20 

Lepisosteus 20 

I^epomis 81 

Eeptops 26 

Eeuciscus 47 

IvOta 104 

I^uciidce 71 

Lucius 71 

Micropterus 85 

Minytrema 36 

Moxostoma 37 

Notropis 51 

Noturus 26 

Opsopoeodus 48 

Perca 89 

Percidae . ., 87 

Percina 89 

Percopsidae 75 

Percopsis 75 

Pimephales 45 

Placopharynx 39 

Polyodon 18 

Polyodontidse 18 

Pceciliidae 73 

Pomolobus 67 

Pomoxis 77 

Rhinichthys 60 

Roccus 102 

Salraonidee 68 

Salvelinus.. 70 

.Scaphirhynchus 19 

Schilbeodes 27 

Sciainidse 103 

vSemotilus 46 

Serranidse 102 

Siluridae 22 

Stizostedion 88 

Tinea 42 

Umbra 70 

Umbridae 70 



LB N '05 



